Swaraaj 21 yr old, is a keen Tennis player residing in New Delhi. He won a Silver and a Bronze medal in the Special Olympics World Summer Games held in Berlin, Germany in June 2023. SO Bharat marked its entry in Tennis at the world games for the first time in 2023. Swaraaj followed a tight schedule of fitness and sport under the mentorship of Abhishek who has been mentoring him for approx. two years. According to Abhishek Swaraaj’s weight had to be constantly monitored before the games especially, as it impacted his mobility and agility, the important aspects of Tennis. Swaraaj continues to seek fitness guidance from Abhishek, post the games as well.
Swaraaj
Tennis Player Delhi
Swaraaj draws inspiration from his elder brother, Arvinder, who played tennis until recently, when he started a job in the IT sector. Arvinder is a software engineer. He recalls Swaraaj’s birth and early childhood as being quite normal, barring 2-3 episodes of seizures which too were controlled, having had none since 2012 so far. It is when he started his education that the family realized that there was a learning disability, as Swaraaj was diagnosed with ‘Mild Mental Retardation’ . According to his mother, Ms Rubby, not surprising that they faced insensitive remarks from the extended family members and neighbors who would often say ‘ he is not capable’, ‘he won’t be able to do anything in life’. Rubby would often be asked whether ‘Swaraaj has improved now ?’. Questions like this made her uncomfortable and she could do nothing about them. Despite the remarks and occasional isolation Swaraaj and his family, were determined to support Swaraaj in achieving his best. While being rejected by a few students, Swaraaj was also constantly encouraged by a few others at his school, Guru Harkrishan Public School (GHPS). NIPEID guided him and his family through his journey to success.
In the year 2020 Swaraaj joined SO Bharat- Delhi recommended by NIEPID. He was just in time to ink history as for the first time India was preparing Athletes for Tennis for the Special Olympics Berlin Games in 2023. Swaraaj had participated in Badminton, Cricket and Football, although his passion rested in Tennis. Seeing his brother play tennis planted the interest and he started with a small racquet around 13 yrs of age. Tennis has been a constant in his life barring a tragedy in 2020, which is the untimely passing of his father.
Tennis which came to a standstill was revived by SO Bharat the same year.
According to his brother, sports has increased his activity levels, making him confident and fit. He has observed a change in the behavior of the family members after his win at the Berlin Games.
Swaraaj participated in the National Championship (Tennis) held in March 2024 in New Delhi winning a silver medal. He has cleared the 12th grade through NIOS and is currently pursuing a course in ‘Hotel Management’. He aspires to be a Tennis Coach and hopes to open an academy of his own. His family along with his Coaches, Jeet Kataria and Abhishek are planning his participation at the ‘special’ segments of Australian /French open, ensuring to help him aim higher and re-discover his abilities incessantly.