PARA sprinter S.Thavanesvaran hopes to use the incentives he received for winning three gold and one silver at the recent Kuala Lumpur Asean Para Games to complete the purchase of a new house for his family.
Thavanesvaran, whose parents are both rubber tappers, said he is hoping to own the new house soon.
The Segamat-born athlete received RM40,750 under the National Sports Incentive Scheme (Shakam) as well as RM14,000 from the Johor state government for his performances at the Para KL2017.
“At the moment we are renting a house in Segamat but we will have to move out in a few months’ time,” said Thavanesvaran, who has moderately-reduced function in his legs.
“My grandfather has helped us secure a PR1MA house in Johor and I want to use the money I have to settle the remaining payment. It is just a cheap house (RM26,000) but I hope we can move in soon, it would mean a lot to us.”
Thavanesvaran could not walk until he was in standard one and had to use special metal shoes in his childhood. His left foot is size three while his right foot is size six.
He dedicated his success at the Para KL2017 to his coach, Noor Huda Jamal, without whom he said it would not have been possible.
“I really have to thank my Cikgu Huda. She took me under her wing and helped develop my skills.
“She even let me stay with her family. What she ate, I ate... she shared everything with me and I did my best to follow her instructions.”
Thavanesvaran will compete in the Asian Para Youth Games later this month where he hopes to finish on the podium in the 100m and 200m sprint (T44) events.