Jeypore,: Meet sporting master Sai Kiran, a dedicated professional who works as a postal employee but has an unwavering passion for skating. Over the past 10 years, he has participated in state, national, and international competitions, securing 14 medals, including 10 gold. In Koraput district, he trains over 60 students, aiming to prepare them for international Olympic competitions.
Sai Kiran hails from Andhra Pradesh. His father worked at the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant, and during his schooling, his younger brother Sai Surya’s interest in skating inspired him to take up the sport. In 2009, while studying in ninth grade, he started training under Kashi Vives Rao, DLM Raju, and Amit Gerajikotha. He soon got the opportunity to compete in a state-level competition in Visakhapatnam, where he won a medal in the junior category. His success in his first competition encouraged him to train harder.
In 2011, he participated in the national-level competition held in Chandigarh and won a silver medal. Later, in 2014, he competed in an international event in China but couldn’t secure a medal. So far, he has participated in three international competitions. At the state level, he has taken part in 12 competitions, winning 10 gold and one silver medal. In 10 national-level competitions, he has earned two silver and one bronze medal.
In 2022, he secured a job with the postal department and was posted in Koraput. Despite his official duties, his passion for skating led him to train local students voluntarily. Since January 2023, he has trained 40 students in Koraput and 20 more from a private educational institution in Jeypore. However, there are no proper skating facilities in the region. Despite this, he trains students on smooth cemented roads and a large hall at a welfare center in Koraput.
Sai Kiran believes that the students in this region are highly talented and have great potential in skating. In a state-level competition held in Bhubaneswar last year, 15 of his students participated, and five of them qualified for national-level events. He is optimistic about the future, as the central government is now giving more importance to skating. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also emphasized the importance of sports in recent discussions. Sai Kiran hopes that in the coming years, the region will see better infrastructure and opportunities for young skaters. Until then, he remains committed to training and guiding his students to bring pride and honor to the district.