Small in stature, giant in spirit: Rejected for short height, Shabad adjudged ‘Best Libero’ at Asian meet

Shabad Gautam has been adjudged the ‘Best Libero’ in the U-16 Asian Volleyball Championship that concluded in Thailand a couple of days back. The 15-year-old Shabad was the only player from Himachal in the Indian team. India won bronze medal in the championship.

“It’s a massive feat for Shabad to win the ‘Best Libero’ award in the Asian championship. I am told no other Indian player in any age category has won this award ever before in an international event,” said Pankaj Gautam, proud father from his native place in Bilaspur district. “He will reach here tomorrow, and we have planned a big welcome for him,” said Gautam.

Shabad’s achievement becomes even more special in the light of the fact that he was denied admission to state’s sports hostels, run by education and sports departments, owing to his short height. According to his father, he was rejected by the selectors without even taking his trial due to his height.

Disappointed with the rejection, Gautam took his son to Punjab where he was selected for Sports Authority of India (SAI) hostel in Sangrur. In just two years, Shabad made it to the national team and won the ‘Best Libero’ award in his maiden international event, putting a question mark on the selection process and criteria in his home state.

Though extremely happy with the achievement of his son, Gautam still can’t get over the “unfair rejection” of his son. “I have seen my son rejected without even getting a chance to show his skills. This grouse will never go away. My question is, why focus so much on height alone when the kids are just 12-13 year old. If they have the skills, give them a chance. Who knows how tall they would get in the next few years,” said Gautam.

He further said that the selectors’ obsession with the height continues. “A few days back, a 13-year-old from our village, who is just an inch short of six feet, was turned away from the trials. He was told he was short. It’s very discouraging for young players and the authorities concerned should look into it,” he said.

Himachal Tribune