Olympics 2016: India's only judoka, Avtar Singh's parents appeal for funds to travel to Rio

Avtar Singh has defied all odds to make it to the Olympics in Rio. After participating in only six international events due to financial constraints, the judoka still mustered enough points to qualify for the Olympics.  As the nation rests its hopes on the promising 24-year-old to do well in the 90-kg weight category, one of Avtar’s biggest supporters, his parents, might not be able to make it. [caption id=“attachment_2902678” align=“alignnone” width=“825”]  Avtar Singh with his parents. Photo: milaap.org[/caption] Avtar’s father Shingara Singh is an office help in the local government hospital and his mother Sukhvinder Kaur is a home maker from Gurdaspur, Punjab. The parents have only ever been able watch their son perform on a TV, according to the description of their petition on Milaap.org. This is after the fact they had to spend all their savings to make sure that Avtar had the funds to participate in the qualifying events. In order to make sure that the parents are there to cheer the young judoka during his first Olympic bout, Milaap.Org, India’s largest crowdfunding platform, has joined hands with Mother Dairy and Green Bench to raise Rs 8,00,000 to fulfill his parents’ wish to see him fight for the first time. [caption id=“attachment_2902676” align=“alignnone” width=“825”]  Avtar’s parents hold his awards with pride. Photo: milaap.org[/caption] Avtar’s parents have made innumerable sacrifices to nurture their son’s talent and the success of this campaign would show them the appreciation that they deserve. Milaap.Org will also release an online video around the family’s emotional journey to Rio, around the same time as Avtar’s event on 10 August. To donate to this campaign, click here.