Interview: Telangana kickboxer Harsha Ratnakar calls for State recognition of sport, pushes for financial aid, job quota

Hyderabad: K Harsha Ratnakar is Telangana’s senior-most kickboxer, a black belt holder and an undefeated champion in the State. With multiple national and international medals to his name, he has represented India on global platforms.

Despite his achievements, Harsha now faces a major challenge—kickboxing is not recognised under Telangana’s sports policy.

Due to this exclusion, athletes like him are denied government training facilities, financial assistance, and job reservations under the sports quota.

In an interview with NewsMeter, Harsha shared his journey, the struggles of competing without official recognition and his hopes for change.

Here are excerpts from the interview:

NM: You started kickboxing in 2012 as a hobby. What made you take it seriously?

Harsha: From childhood, I was fascinated by martial arts movies. In 2012, I joined kickboxing for fitness, but once I started competing, I felt a strong drive to push myself further. Every tournament made me realise that I wanted to represent India and make a mark in this sport.

NM: You’re the senior-most active kickboxer in Telangana. What has the journey been like?

Harsha: It’s been rewarding but also frustrating. I train at Iskimos Academy under Coach Suresh Patil, where we follow a rigorous schedule. However, without government support, it’s tough. There are no State-backed training facilities or financial aid. If the government invests in kickboxing, many more athletes will step forward.

NM: Telangana still follows GO 74 from 2012 which does not recognise kickboxing. How has this affected your career?

Harsha: Because kickboxing is not listed as a recognised State sport, I’ve been denied government job opportunities multiple times. I cleared all stages of the Telangana sub-inspector recruitment in 2018-19 and 2021-22, but my name didn’t appear in the final merit list because my sports certificates were not accepted.

Even in the Telangana Group-1 exam, where I cleared the prelims, my sport wasn’t considered. Only my high scores allowed me to proceed to the mains and now I’m waiting for the results.

NM: How did missing out on the sub-inspector position impact you?

Harsha: It was devastating. After clearing all the exams—prelims, physical tests and mains—I was denied the job at the final document verification stage. It made me question whether I should continue the sport at all. But I didn’t want to quit. I worked too hard for it.

NM: You have won multiple national and international medals. What keeps you motivated despite the lack of government support?

Harsha: It’s my mindset—never giving up. I believe that one day, the government will recognise kickboxing and support us. But there’s been a long delay, and the lack of financial aid makes it difficult to continue competing at the highest level.

NM: What are the biggest financial challenges for kickboxers in Telangana?

Harsha: Competing internationally is expensive. It costs around Rs 2-3 lakh to participate in an international event. Even if we somehow manage to arrange the funds and win medals for India, we don’t receive the kind of recognition or financial rewards that athletes in other sports get from the Telangana government.

NM: You recently joined as a junior commercial tax inspector. How are you balancing your job and sport?

Harsha: I joined in January 2025 through general merit, not through any sports quota. Initially, I was hesitant to tell my department about my tournament schedule, but my assistant commissioner encouraged me to go and compete. When I returned with a silver medal from an international event, my department recognised my achievement and congratulated me.

NM: Do you think the Telangana government should recognise athletes like you in official roles?

Harsha: Yes. If my achievements were acknowledged at a higher level, I could receive a promotion based on my sports record. This would not only motivate me but also set a precedent for other athletes in Telangana.

NM: If the Telangana government updates GO 74 to include kickboxing, how would it change circumstances for athletes like you?

Harsha: It would open many opportunities. We would get access to State-backed training facilities, financial aid and job reservations like athletes in other sports. I could even qualify for a Group-1 DSP post, like Mohammed Siraj and Nikhat Zareen, who were recently recognised by the State government.

NM: What message do you have for aspiring kickboxers in Telangana?

Harsha: Train hard and don’t lose hope. I believe there will be a positive change soon. But until then, I advise young athletes to also pursue a sport that is already recognised by the Telangana government, so they don’t face the same struggles I did.

Despite years of setbacks, Harsha remains committed to his sport. As he continues to train and compete, he fights for kickboxing’s official recognition in Telangana. His story highlights the urgent need for policy reforms that acknowledge and support all athletes, regardless of the sport they choose.