Asian Games bronze medal winner discus thrower Seema Punia will donate her entire pocket money of USD 700 and an additional one lakh rupees to help the flood affected people of Kerala.
The 35-year-old Seema could not defend the gold she had won in the 2014 Asian Games and had to settle with a bronze with a best throw of 62.26m.
Seema also urged other athletes to make donations to help the people of Kerala affected by the devastating flood.
I have decided to donate my pocket money and also one lakh more to Kerala flood victims. They have gone through a lot. I will go and try to serve those people. I also urge all Indian athletes to donate at least half of their allowance to help the victims.Seema Punia
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The Haryana athlete said she was suffering with a bone spur in her left foot and will undergo surgery after coming back from Kerala.
This problem had surfaced at CWG but it was not bad. But now it will need a surgery. Today (Thursday) also I was in pain but it was not reason for my performance.Seema Punia
Seema's best throw came in her third attempt which was better than her gold- winning effort at the 2014 Incheon Asian Games, where she had managed 61.03m. It was also her season-best throw but not good enough to prevent a Chinese one-two.
Seema also wondered how long she need to prove herself to get an Arjuna Award.
Maybe they don’t feel that I deserve. I don’t know what’s wrong. I have also not been promoted by my department in the last eight years.Seema Punia
At present Seema is a sub-inspector with the Haryana police.
Seema also requested the Sports Ministry to double the allowance of masseurs attached with the Indian contingent.
"They get only Rs 700 a day. It's not enough," she said.
Talking about her performance, Seema, who has four Commonwealth Games medals in her kitty apart from an Asiad gold in Incheon, said a poor first throw disturbed her "tempo".
The first throw was a bit too high, it went parallel, so I could not get the distance. I was confident of bettering my personal best but it was not my day. But I will not stop here. I have Tokyo in mind. That competition will be mine and it will not be just for participation.Seema Punia
At 2016 Rio Olympics, Seema had finished 20th, her worst performance in three Olympics.
(With inputs from PTI)
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