Man gives free training to pass physical tests

Khairatabad: Swamulu Solapogula, 45, is one person who is always thankful for being alive and keeps repeating that he has to help people. A man of his words, he does so by training budding athletes free of cost. A Physical Education teacher on deputation to Telangana State Social Welfare Residential Educational Institutions Society (TSSWRES) as an assistant sports officer at Masab Tank, he goes out of his way to help job aspirants.

He says, "I am thankful to the Almighty for saving me and I am indebted to the Social Welfare Residential Educational Institution Society for helping me in the most troubled times as my parents Eedanna and mother Savaramma died in the accident."

It was in 1987 when the thirteen-year-old Swamulu was traveling from Bukkapuram to Singotam with 29 others in a boat to attend Narsimha Swamy carnival festivities when the boat capsized but Swamulu held on to a piece of wood and survived till he received help.

He was rescued by the Social Welfare Hostel Warden from the major disaster. The Warden helped Swamulu to pursue higher education and joined him in Andhra Pradesh Social Welfare Residential Educational Institutions Society (APSWREIS) in Alampur. Till Intermediate, Swamulu studied in the same residential school with satisfactory results.

However, his real talents were in extra-curricular activities as he performed exceptionally well in sports such as running. While he was in his 5th standard, a running competition was held on August 15 in which he bagged the 1st place. Swamulu names Meshak Babu, his PE teacher, as his mentor as he encouraged him to join district-level competitions. He also had many chances to participate in Nation-level running competitions.

Swamulu completed his PhD in Physical Education from Osmania University in Hyderabad and has an array of 25 medals from his sports career. Of the 25 medals, 10 medals are from state-level running competitions and 15 medals from District-level running competitions.