For someone who made the Hussainsagar Lake his ‘second home’ for the last 17 years to pursue his passion for rowing, 35-year-old Saji Thomas had reason to sport a big smile on Tuesday as he was named one of the would-be recipients of the prestigious Arjuna Award for his outstanding contribution to the sport.

“It has been a real struggle over the years. And, I could not have achieved whatever little I did, but for the support of my parents, coaches and the Rowing Federation of India’s officials – the most important of all being CPS Deo Singh Sir,” recalled Saji.

“I had a natural inclination towards water sports coming from Kerala, which even now is full of canals and boats. Once I joined Alleppey Centre for Water Sports under my first coach G. S. Nair, the passion for rowing only doubled,” said the Subedar-Major in EME Centre about his formative years.

“Frankly, it was not a surprise at all. I have been hoping to get this award for the last three years. But, I stopped thinking about it since last year. However my Sir was in touch the officials to see that some justice was done to my achievements,” said the delighted Saji Thomas, winner of two silvers in the last Asian Games.

This indefatigable rower has won 13 international medals in all including the Asian championship in a career spanning from 2001 to 2011. “I am at the fag end of my career now and hence this Award could not have come at a more appropriate time,” Saji said.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by V. V. Subrahmanyam / Hyderabad – August 17th, 2014