Haryana, Sonipat/Tauru: M3M Foundation is always ready to hoist the flag of India all over the world. In this direction, M3M Foundation encourages many players of the State under its Lakshya programme. M3M Foundation’s Lakshya Scholar Pooja Yadav has won Silver in Javelin and Gold in Discus Throw in the 5th Indian Open National Para International Championship. The championship was held from May 4 to 7 at the Sri Kanteerava Narrasimharaja Sports Club in Bangalore. On this achievement, Pooja has thanked M3M Foundation, who recognised her talent and encouraged her in every way to bring laurels to the country at the international level. On the other hand, Manjit of Sonepat has also brought laurels to his State and city by winning the gold medal.
The State is proud of Pooja Yadav’s achievement. Pooja said that she had injured her spinal cord due when she fell into a well when she was a child. Even after being in a wheelchair, she did not let her disability hold her back. She started practice in Tauru in a wheelchair. She won bronze in the discus throw and gold in 2021 at the International Paralympics held in Dubai in 2017. Pooja’s family members are farmers. Due to the poor financial condition of the family, she started losing courage, but somewhere her spirit never gave up. In such a situation, if the spirit gets strength, then it is decided to achieve the destination. Pooja says that the way M3M Foundation supports the players, any player can win a medal for the country. M3M Foundation is not only providing financial support but it also boosts the morale to move forward. Practice and all other requirements are taken care of by M3M Foundation. Her coach Naval Singh encouraged her from time to time. Pooja is grateful to M3M Foundation for all kinds of support.
Manjeet is a pole vaulter and is preparing for his sport. Due to an accident in 2015, his vision was disrupted. There was a state of utter darkness and despair in his life. His commitment and dedication gave him the courage to bring back the lost light in his life. Again, supported by M3M Foundation, he is representing the country as the national record holder in the javelin throw.
He got a lot of encouragement from M3M Foundation’s Lakshya Scholar and his hard work and dedication eventually led to his success as a Para Olympian gold medallist, national record holder and winner of multiple championships.
He once again touched the sky. Winning a gold medal in javelin throw at the 21st National Para-Athletics Championship to be held at Pune from March 16 to 21, 2023, is an additional addition to his pool of achievements.
Now Manjeet has also won the gold medal again in the 5th Open Indian Para-Athletics International Championship to be held in Bengaluru from May 4 to 7, 2023. With this win, he will go to China for the Asian Games to be held in October 2023.
On this occasion, Dr Payal Kanodia, Chairperson and Trustee of M3M Foundation said, “M3M Foundation is always committed to doing better in the field of environment, education, sports, health and in this direction, we are determined in every way. We are very happy to inform you that today, players from every corner of India are taking advantage of our Lakshya programme and are making their name known in sports. Pooja and Manjeet have made not only Haryana but our entire country proud. For this, I congratulate both of them and wish the entire team of M3M Foundation all the best for all the upcoming competitions.”
Pooja has already won the National Award
- Bronze Medal in shotput in 2017
- Gold Medal in shotput and javelin and bronze in discus throw in 2018
- Bronze Medal in the discus throw at the 2019 International Para Olympics held in Dubai
- Three Gold awards in National Para Olympics in 2021
- 2023 Three Gold awards in the 21st National Para Athlete Championship held in Pune
M3M Foundation has always supported the budding talented players of different States of the country, who are financially weak, through the Lakshya Scholarship. Today, many such players are moving forward by performing well in various sports. Lakshya is a unique programme of M3M Foundation to support the development and advancement of talented children as well as youth from socio-economically weaker sections of society to hone their skills in sports and arts.