“Whenever my father extended financial help to others, I used to scold him, advising him to prioritize himself. Years later, inheriting his business, I made some wrong decisions, and everything fell apart. During that challenging time, many people stepped in to support us without expecting anything in return. My father, unwavering in his belief in my capabilities, became my pillar of strength. He reminded me that money is transient, but hope and persistence endure. ‘Never lose hope,’ he’d say, ‘keep trying until success comes knocking.’
Originating from the small town of Shimoga, we started anew in Hyderabad many years ago. My father’s mantra was simple: ‘What if we lose money? We can always earn it back.’ Even in tough times, my wife selflessly contributed by parting with her jewelry. Despite the hardships, I refused to give up. Returning to my passion for Karate and martial arts, I recognized their potential to bring financial stability.
High school became my training ground for martial arts. Lacking bus fare, I walked from the Old city to Ramanthapur for classes—such was my dedication. Transitioning into teaching Karate, I noticed many talented students lacking the resources. Not wanting them to face the hurdles I did, I continued teaching, regardless of their ability to pay. Today, I take pride in my students who have excelled at district and national championships.
Currently, I train students at the Health League Playground in Sultan Bazaar and Karnataka Sahitya Mandira. While I have my own ends to meet, I can’t bear to see another child give up their passion due to financial constraints. Instead, I aim to instill hope. If any student has discontinued Karate due to financial difficulties, I am more than willing to support them. I see a reflection of myself in each one. Despite the challenges of sustaining this support, I am committed to doing whatever I can to make it happen. My appeal to the State Government is to encourage the Karate federations and support students in Telangana by providing basic training needs. This will enable us to represent our country in national and international tournaments.”
- Damodar Nayak, Karate Trainer