Headload worker to represent nation

KOZHIKODE: From porters to the elite, a cross section of the city sports lovers is on a mission to mobilise funds for a city youth, a porter, who has been selected for the international martial arts championship to be held in Bangkok, Thailand, on March 12.  Mr A. Pradeepkumar MLA heads the funds committee.

It was a long-cherished dream for I.V. Saddique, a porter at Palayam market, a known Thai kickboxing champion, to  represent the nation at international venues one day. He started struggling for the goal since the age of 14, bu Saddique never thought he would get a chance so soon.

A regular champion at various national tournaments, Saddique is now trying to mobilise Rs 2,00,000 for his travel, stay and other expenses. “Kickboxing has been a passion for me since my childhood and I represented the state in many tournaments at a young age itself,” said Saddique. 

A disciple of martial arts exponent Sivakumar, Saddique used to spend the lion’s share of his earnings for his training. “I used to get sufficient time as I work as headload worker only on random days,”  he added.

“I never received sufficient time for my family as I was totally immersed in practising and I want to win the world through fighting,”  says Saddique who went to Bangalore for an intensive training under a professional fighter.  

“We are eager to ensure his participation in the championship,”  said young architect Vinod Cyriac, another disciple of Sivakumar.   “He is disciplined, dedicated and committed,”  Mr Cyriac said. Those interested to contribute can send money to the   joint account number 44152010002105, Syndicate Bank, Malapparambu, Kozhikode.