"Dear, I don't have any money; let's stop this here," father tells pole vault gold medalist Amy Tresa Jijy

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Amy Tresa Jijy called her father to share her joy after winning gold in the senior girls' pole vault. Her father Jijy M John reminded her of one thing with sadness beyond words of joy- 'So, we are stopping this here right?'.....

Jijy is in a situation where he has to see his daughter's sports dreams end due to financial difficulties.

Amy is a Plus Two student at Mar Basil School, Kothamangalam. Amy's training expenses are beyond the income of her father Jiji, a painter. So far, the school had supported her, but now she can't move forward without someone's help.

Amy was the sub-district champion in the 100 and 200-meter races and long jump events until the seventh grade. She moved to Pole vault when she joined Mar Basil in the eighth grade. She had won silver in the last school fair. This time, she won gold by jumping 2.60 meters. Her mother is a housewife, Josmi Joseph.

Four people buy a pole together

Unable to afford a pole worth Rs 1.40 lakhs on their own, the parents of four children recently pooled in money and brought a pole for their children's training. The resulting debt of Rs 35,000 has not been repaid. A huge amount is required for spikes and travel expenses to sports meets. Since the Sports Council does not provide grants, the athletes themselves have to take care of their travel and accommodation expenses while attending State Athletic Association meets. The debt piles up with every national competition.

I want my daughter to become an internationally known pole vaulter, but I had to tell her that she should stop after school because I did not have money. My daughter can only move forward if someone sponsors her." - Jiji M John, Amy's father