Teenage shooter Shivam Thakur auctioning Hardik Pandya and Arjun Tendulkar's gifts to help athletes

NEW DELHI: Just like every budding cricketer, Shivam Thakur, a resident of Kulesra village in Greater Noida, also wanted to wear the India colours someday. But a ligament tear during a cricket camp in Kerala halted a young Thakur's cricketing journey.
He was bed ridden for two years and when he returned to the field, he faced problems while running and doctors advised him not to run. He didn’t give up. He fell but didn’t lose hope. But in the end, Thakur, who wanted to become a fast bowler, decided to leave cricket and opt for shooting. It was tough to get into the Indian shooting team, so he decided to become a County shooter.
“County Shooting is recognised by TAFISA (The Association For International Sport for All), IAKS (International Association for Sports and Leisure Facilities) and ICSSPE (International Council of Sport Science and Physical Education). They all are recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). I shoot in the 10m Air Pistol event. I participated in the Indo-Sri Lanka International Championship 2018 and Indo-Malaysia International Championship in February 2020. I won 2 gold and a silver in County Shooting,” the 17 year old Thakur told Timesofindia.com.
Thakur was very young when his father enrolled him for cricket coaching in Noida. The youngster represented the Delhi team at the Under-11 level and then moved to represent Uttar Pradesh after obtaining an NOC from the DDCA. He started playing for UP in 2013. Thanks to good performances, he was selected for a 14-day special training camp in Kerala in 2015 and that's where he tore a ligament in his left knee.
“I was born in a middle-class family. It was my father’s dream to see me as a cricketer. I wanted to be a lethal fast bowler. I won many medals at the school level. I became the vice-captain of Sardar Patel School, where I did my academics. I had also joined Major Dhyan Chand National stadium Delhi for further practice,” he said.

“I was selected in the Under-11 of the Delhi team. I switched from Delhi to UP because of the long distance I had to travel every day. It was not possible for my parents to drop and pick me up every day. I was also a part of the Under-16 UP cricket team in the year 2013 and 2014. Chetan sir (Chetan Sharma, former India cricketer) also advised me to play for UP as he could see me struggle to travel” Thakur recalled.
“During my cricketing days, I practiced and bowled to Hardik Pandya when he came for practice at the Greater Noida stadium (Afghanistan’s home ground). I bowled many overs to Pandya and after the practice he came and said 'You will become a good medium fast bowler for India'. I met Arjun Tendulkar when I attended the cricket camp in Kerala,” the 17-year-old Thakur said.
“They were impressed by my bowling and gave me gifts. Pandya gave me a pair of batting pads and Arjun gave me a bat grip,” Thakur told TimesofIndia.com.
AUCTIONING PANDYA AND ARJUN’S GIFTS
Athletes across the world have felt the blow of the Coronavirus as well. Many are struggling financially. To try and help such athletes, Thakur has decided to auction his cricket kit, cricket jerseys and the batting pads and batting grip he received from Pandya and Arjun.

“During my cricket playing days, Hardik bhaiya had given me a pair of pads. Along with that, I will also auction my cricket kit and contribute 60 percent of my earnings over a period of three years to those athletes who are struggling to make their ends meet despite having the potential to represent the country. I earn about Rs 6-7 lakh in a year through scholarships and funding programmes. I want to help athletes who are struggling for finances. I want to help those athletes who have the potential to play for India but can’t because of money. I want to do my bit, whatever little I can,” Thakur told TimesofIndia.com.
FROM CRICKET TO SHOOTING
Even after the ligament tear, Thakur didn't think he would have to give up his first love – cricket.
“Growing up I wanted to become a fast bowler, but a ligament injury in 2015 in Kerala dashed my dreams. I just could not run for a long time. So, I decided to take up shooting. I wanted to represent India. I am from a middle-class family and it was not possible for me to get the best treatment. A fast bowler needs good treatment and for that you need money. This totally shattered my dreams,” he said.
“My father has been running a grocery shop in Nithari village in Noida since 1990 and my mother is a house wife. I have an elder sister as well,” he said.
The financial restrictions were of course a hurdle when Shivam switched to shooting as well.

“Yes, shooting is an expensive game. I faced many problems in shooting as well when I opted for the sport in 2018. I used rented shooting weapons to play the matches at the county tournaments. When I started winning, my father bought me a pistol on EMI,” he said.
JASPAL RANA – AN INSPIRATION
Thakur takes inspiration from veteran shooter and India's junior pistol shooting coach Jaspal Rana.
“Jaspal sir is my inspiration. I look up to him and watch his videos. I want to meet him and learn the art of shooting. His tips will help me in my career. He has won many international tournaments and won many medals for India,” Thakur told TimesofIndia.com.
"I am also in touch with shooters Abhishek Verma and Saurabh Chaudhary. They also give me tips for shooting,” Thakur signed off.