Indian swimmer Sajan Prakashâs family found safe in Kerala floods
Getty
As devastating flood resulted in huge loss of lives in Kerala, swimmer Sajan Prakash, whose home is in flood-hit areas of the state, was in deep mental pain after not being able to contact his family members. However, Prakashâs family members are found safe back home now and he is a relieved man.
Prakash broke the 32-year-old jinx by finishing fifth in the 200m butterfly final in the ongoing Asiad. However, the situation was the same back home for the 24-year-old as his family had been missing for the past three days because of the floodwaters in Kerala. However, the swimmerâs uncle called him today to inform that they were safe. Prakash said that he was having sleepless nights thinking about his family who went missing during the severe flood in the South Indian state.
âI had trouble sleeping, thinking about my family. I hadnât heard from them because they were cut off from the (phone) network and not able to contact us,â Prakash told AFP.
The devastating flood has killed more than 350 people in Kerala and Prakash said that he was very feeling very nervous in Jakarta before the call from his uncle.
âI was very nervous but my uncle called to say theyâre all safe and everything is alright back home,â informed Prakash.
Prakashâs mother Shantymol, who resides in the
âI knew that the rain was getting worse (in Kerala) when I arrived in Jakarta but I didnât know it was this bad. But thatâs what we train for â to swim under pressure. If I think about it, I will screw up here. And if I screw up here, both are screwed. Either way, I canât help, I just have to focus on what I have to do,â said Prakash.
Prakash finished at the fifth position in the 200m butterfly final event and created history by becoming the first player from India to reach the finals of the event. Prakash mentioned
âI prepared for this for a long time and I didnât want to screw it up by leaving. My team-mates kept me entertained and focused â being with them is different from being alone. It was my dream to get a medal in the Asian Games from childhood,â said Prakash.
âIâve worked for it very hard â I did whatever was possible to do. If I would have placed top three it would have been a gift for my family. It would have been great,â Prakash further added.
