Udupi: P. Gururaja, who won the silver medal in the 56 kg category in weight lifting in the 21st Commonwealth Games held in Gold Coast, Australia, earlier this month, was given a rousing reception here on Thursday.

The officials of the district administration accompanied Mr. Gururaja from the Bajpe International Airport to the Deputy Commissioner’s Office. He was felicitated at a simple function organised by the administration here.

Mr. Gururaja, 26, said that the government should do more to encourage sportspersons from rural areas. “The youth in various sports should realise they can win medals at national and international events only through hard work. There is no short-cut to success,” he said and added that he was overwhelmed by the reception given to him.

Mr. Gururaja, who hails from Chittoor hamlet near Kollur in Byndoor taluk of Udupi district, is the fifth of six sons of Mahabala Poojary, a truck driver, and Paddu Poojary, a homemaker. He said he was looking forward to giving a good performance and winning a medal at the forthcoming Asian Games. He would also begin his preparations for the Olympics to be held in 2020.

Sukesh Shetty, physical education director, Sri Mookambika High School and Pre-University College, where Mr. Gururaja studied, said that since high school and even in PU college, Mr. Gururaja was drawn to sports and excelled in wrestling. “Even in those days, when his family’s financial condition was not good, he used to put in hard work in all sports. His hard work has paid off,” he said.

Priyanka Mary Francis, Deputy Commissioner, said Mr. Gururaja was a model for the youth of Udupi district. His winning the silver medal at the Commonwealth Games had made the entire district proud. It was heartening that his family encouraged him despite testing financial circumstances. “He is an inspiration to all sportspersons and youth in the State,” she said.

Roshan Kumar Shetty, Assistant Director of Sports, welcomed the gathering and later proposed a vote of thanks. G. Anuradha, Additional Deputy Commissioner, Shivananda Kapashi, CEO, zilla panchayat, were present.