Only 13 years old, Gautham Sumesh is preparing to realize the dream of his father, who died six months ago: he will soon participate in the National Badminton Championship.
My father was really addicted to badminton, recalls the Saskatchewan teenager. He really liked that I played.
Gautham Sumesh has been playing badminton since he was old enough to handle a racket. The first time he managed to beat his father, Sumesh Pulavathil, he was offered a drink to celebrate the event.
Sadly, Sumesh Pulavathil died in a road accident near Estevan last October.
Despite the tragedy, the teenager continues to carry his family’s dreams: Gautham Sumesh won the provincial championships this year and is preparing to participate in the National Championship in New Brunswick.
He would be really happy, he thinks.
Dreaming of badminton
The young player’s parents left India in 2022 in the hope that their son would become a top badminton player.
: Gautham badminton”,”text”:”When we moved to Canada, we only had one thing in mind: Gautham badminton”}}”>When we moved to Canada, we “We only had one thing in mind: Gautham’s badminton,” explains Gautham’s mother, Gayathri Ramdas. It is the foundation of our family life.
Her husband put everything in place to help his son play. He bought him shoes and racquets, in addition to devoting many hours to coaching him and other children.
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Sumesh Pulavathil (front) was an avid badminton player. (Archive photo)
Photo : Fournie par Gayathri Ramdas
Although the family was devastated by Sumesh Pulavathil’s death, there was never any question of the teenager quitting badminton.
Since the death of his father, Gautham Sumesh has undergone intensive training, particularly in preparation for the provincial competition which took place in April.
He remembers that no one knew him when he started competing provincially, but that changed after his victory at the provincial championship.
: “Hey, good job!” Everyone started talking to me and becoming friends with me”,”text”:”After I won the provincial championships, everyone said to me: “Hey, good job!”Everyone started talking to me and becoming friends with me”}}”>After I won, everyone was like, “Hey, good job!” Everyone started talking to me and becoming friends with me, says Gautham Sumesh.
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A portrait of Sumesh Pulavathil (far left) and his family.
Photo : Fournie par Gayathri Ramdas
Despite his son’s success in the championship, Gayathri Ramdas believes the victory was bittersweet due to his father’s absence.
Despite everything, she watched her son grow up and demonstrate the values of sportsmanship and good play that she and her husband wanted to instill in him, as he harbored ambitions of becoming a professional badminton player.
I’m little by little catching up on all the dreams we had.
With information from Janani Whitfield
2024-05-13 17:43:26
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