“Olympics and Para Olympics are known as the biggest sporting events in the world. Players from all corners of the world come here to represent their country. Being selected in Para Olympics is a big deal for me. I will play my life for my country and do well.” These are the words of IAS Suhas Lalinakere Yathiraj, currently the number 3 Para badminton player in the world and District Magistrate of Gautam Buddha Nagar (Noida), who has been selected to represent India in the game of badminton at Tokyo Paralympics-2020.
SHINING INDIAN SHUTTLERS
Along with him, top Para-shuttlers like Pramod Bhagat and former Para badminton world champion Manoj Sarkar, will also enter the Olympics in badminton singles competition.
The name of the 2007 batch IAS officer, Mr Suhas, has been in the news quite a lot in recent times. Whether it is his handling the first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic or the management on grassroots level in overcoming the second wave of the pandemic, Mr Suhas has shown the power of his excellent and efficient leadership every time.But on top of that, he is an exceptionally spirited sportsperson and has achieved many big successes in badminton at national and international level. In 2016, he won a gold medal in the men’s singles event at the Asian Championships held in China.
Mr Suhas has been selected for Paralympics from India on the basis of world ranking and performance by Badminton World Federation.The Para Olympic Games will be held in Tokyo, the capital of Japan, from August 24 to September 5, immediately after the end of the Tokyo Olympic Games.
CHALLENGES FACED
Originally hailing from Hassan district of Karnataka and raised in Shimoga, Mr. Suhas will face a huge challenge in the Olympics as he almost missed his training due to the pandemic. He played his last major tournaments in January 2020 – Brazil Open and in February 2020 – Peru Open and won gold in both.
On the basis of his performance, he was ranked number three worldwide. However, after this Mr. Suhas could not play any other big tournament due to pandemic as well as his administrative duties.
TRAINING
In a conversation with the media, Mr. Suhas said, “During the corona transition, I got posted in Noida and almost missed my training. But I have taken special care about my fitness. When the situation regarding Corona started getting under control, I began my training a little bit. I am extremely proud to play Paralympics. Now, my goal is to get medals for the country; and to achieve this, I am fully concentrating on my training and fitness.”
He added, “Over the years, we have seen players lose and sometimes win by small margins. I myself have lost my games by millimeters and won by centimeters. If I talk about the Tokyo Paralympics, I know that every player there will be trying to win a medal. But I am not putting myself under any pressure. I have full faith in myself and will try my best to bring medals for India.”
EFFICIENT ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER
As the District Magistrate of Prayagraj in 2019, Mr. Suhas organized the Kumbh Mela there successfully and garnered numerous praises for his efficient administration. Apart from this, he has also been the District Magistrate of big districts like Azamgarh, Jaunpur, Sonbhadra, Maharajganj and Hathras.
Mr Suhas has studied computer engineering. His wife Ritu Suhas is also a PCS officer.
Mr. Suhas almost went to pieces after his father’s death in 2005, but soon collected himself and made up his mind to clear the UPSC. With his hard work and determination, he became an IAS officer in 2007.
He has been honored with the Yash Bharti Award by the previous government of Uttar Pradesh. At the same time, on the occasion of ‘World Disability Day’, in the year 2016, he was also adjudged the ‘Best Para Sportsperson’ of the state.
