Youth’s dad: Don’t let children pursue dangerous sports in Karnataka

BENGALURU/MYSURU: Staring at his dead son’s poster while trying to hold back tears, 62-year-old P Suresh appealed to all parents with folded hands: “Please do not send your children to a dangerous sport like kickboxing, save them.”
Ever since he heard about the lethal punch that his son Nikhil suffered during a bout, Suresh,who has alleged lack of safety and emergency care at the spot, has been wondering how fate could deal such a cruel blow to his family. “My son was killed cruelly, he was killed because of negligence. I don’t know how to handle the situation. This should not happen to anyone,” said Suresh.
Nikhil was laid to rest in Mysuru after his death in a Bengaluru hospital. Suresh’s anger was two-dimensional: Directed at the sport itself, and at the organisers of the bout.
Speaking to mediapersons, Suresh said: “I appeal to parents not to send children to sports like kickboxing and not allow to watch them. People fight like animals here; there is no difference between humans and animals...This is uncivilised. I made a mistake by letting my son practise this sport. As a parent, I’m responsible for his death.”
Nikhil, who had done an ITI course and worked as an electrician at a private company, had developed interest in kickboxing and started participating in several championships.
“I don’t know how he took a liking to this sport. I should have realised the dangers and stopped him. I didn’t and I feel responsible for his death,” said Suresh, who himself was a karate teacher after he retired from work.
In fact, Nikhil had left home for Bengaluru on Saturday, hoping to put up a great fight in the ring. But Suresh’s family received the news of Nikhil’s injury late on Sunday. “Doctors told me he suffered a heavy injury on his cerebellum, leading to this condition. After doctors said his chances of survival were bleak, I had to make a decision to take him out of ventilator support early on Wednesday,” he added.
Suresh said Nikhil was the family’s strength and breadwinner. He took care of the family along with his brother.