Zomato Delivery Partner Father Fuels Gymnast Son’s Dream in Mumbai; Goutam Singh Chases Paralympics Through Part-Time Delivery Work

New Delhi, Sep 11: For Mumbai gymnast Somnath Nimbalkar and Bhubaneswar para-athlete Goutam Singh, the road to sporting success has been anything but straightforward.

Their sporting disciplines and circumstances are different, but both have had to find ways to keep their ambitions alive while dealing with financial pressures, family responsibilities and major setbacks.

For Somnath, the sacrifice has largely come from his father, Pandurang Nimbalkar, who works as a Zomato delivery partner to support his son's gymnastics ambitions. For Goutam, who was left partially paralysed after a spinal injury at 15, working as a Zomato delivery partner has helped him earn independently while continuing his para-sport journey.

Both now dream of representing India.

Somnath's journey from a five-year-old gymnast to an Olympic hopeful

Somnath was only five when a coach noticed something special in him during a simple 25-metre monkey jump exercise.

What started as a basic training activity eventually became the beginning of a sporting journey that Somnath hopes will take him to the Olympics.

He got an early taste of competitive success when he participated in the Mumbai School Games in the Under-8 age group and won a gold medal.

"That was when I realised that I could build a career in gymnastics," Somnath told myKhel. But pursuing gymnastics at a competitive level came with considerable financial challenges for his family.

His father, Pandurang, had earlier worked as a vegetable seller before becoming a Zomato delivery partner. The expenses involved in training, travelling and competing were difficult for the family to manage, but Pandurang continued working to support his son's dream.

"My father has worked very hard for me. He has worked day and night to support me and my dreams," Somnath said.

His father's work has also given the family some flexibility in managing the demands of Somnath's sporting career. As a delivery partner, Pandurang has been able to take on extra hours around his schedule while remaining available when his son has competitions.

"Whenever I participate in a competition, his energy inspires me to stay motivated, no matter what happens," Somnath said.

The family's journey also received some support through Zomato's educational initiatives, which helped with the education of Somnath and his sister.

The injury that nearly ended Somnath's gymnastics career

Somnath's biggest setback came in Class 11. An injury forced him to stop practising, and the situation became even more uncertain when he had to travel to his village. By the time he returned, the gymnastics centre where he trained, Shri Samarth Vyayam Mandir, had closed.

With his family already facing financial difficulties, continuing in a sport that requires significant expenditure on coaching and training suddenly appeared uncertain.

"At that point, I started wondering how I would continue my career in gymnastics because my family had financial difficulties and gymnastics training is expensive," he recalled.

His injury also raised concerns about the cost of treatment. Then came a crucial intervention from his physiotherapist, Dr Dhanesh, who treated him free of cost and supported him throughout his recovery.

That support helped Somnath regain fitness and eventually return to gymnastics. He went on to win a silver medal at the national level.

"The comeback made me believe that even when things become difficult, I should keep working hard and not give up on my goal," Somnath said.

Now preparing for university-level competition, Somnath has his sights set firmly on the national team.

He wants to compete internationally in 2027 and believes that can be an important step towards his ultimate dream - the Olympics.

"Yes, 2032 is my Olympic goal. I am putting in more practice and working hard to prepare myself for the Olympics," he said.

For Somnath, however, the Olympic dream is also his father's dream.

Pandurang wants to see his son wearing India's colours on the biggest sporting stage. "If that day comes, my father would be very happy because his dream would have come true. For me, it would be a very proud moment, and I would give my 100 per cent in the competition to make him proud," Somnath said.

Goutam's life changed at 15

Thousands of kilometres away in Bhubaneswar, Goutam Singh's sporting journey began only after his life had been turned upside down. In 2014, when he was 15, a fall during a school cricket match caused a spinal injury that left him partially paralysed.

The years that followed were dominated by treatment, rehabilitation and adapting to a completely different reality. Goutam spent nearly four years in hospital.

"I went through one of the most difficult phases of my life when I spent nearly four years in the hospital. I was unable to meet my family regularly or return home, which was challenging both physically and emotionally," Goutam told myKhel.

It was during that difficult period that a senior encouraged him to return to sport. The suggestion eventually changed the course of his life.

Goutam initially tried basketball but found it difficult because of his disability. He kept exploring different sports before eventually discovering para-rugby. "Eventually, I discovered rugby, which suited my abilities," he said.

With consistent training, Goutam began building a career in the sport and representing Odisha. His perseverance brought major success in 2024 when he won a gold medal in para-rugby.

He later added a bronze medal at the Khelo India Para Games. But another challenge emerged.

Para-rugby is not currently part of the Paralympic programme, meaning Goutam had to look for another route towards his biggest sporting ambition.

From para-rugby to table tennis and the Paralympic dream

Rather than giving up on his Paralympic dream, Goutam took up para table tennis. The transition meant learning another sport and beginning another demanding phase of training, but the goal remained the same - representing India.

He won a bronze medal in men's Class-2 singles in para table tennis at the 2025 Khelo India Para Games in New Delhi and is now preparing for para-sport championships with the hope of earning a place in the national team.

"My biggest dream is to represent India at the international level," Goutam said.

"I want to keep improving, compete at higher levels and earn a place in the Indian national team. Representing India would be a proud moment for me, my family, Odisha and my country."

Goutam has also followed para-sport competitions at the Commonwealth Games with particular interest, drawing motivation from athletes competing at the highest level.

For him, watching other para-athletes overcome challenges reinforces his belief that disability should not limit ambition.

How Zomato work helps Goutam balance sport and family

Unlike Somnath, who is supported by a father working as a Zomato delivery partner, Goutam himself joined the platform in 2023. The decision was driven by his need to earn independently while continuing to manage his sporting ambitions and family responsibilities.

Today, Goutam generally works as a delivery partner between 5pm and 11pm, allowing him to organise his training around his work. "Balancing my training, family responsibilities and work as a Zomato delivery partner has taught me to manage my time well," he said.

The flexibility has allowed him to continue training and participate in tournaments while contributing towards his household expenses.

"One of the biggest advantages of being a Zomato delivery partner is the flexibility. I can plan my working hours around my training and tournaments while continuing to earn and support my family," Goutam said.

For him, financial independence is an important part of his journey. "Sports is my passion, but I also have responsibilities towards my family, and working with Zomato helps me manage both," he added.

Goutam says he is yet to receive financial compensation and a government job that he was promised following his sporting achievements and recognition during Khelo India. He remains hopeful that the commitments will eventually be fulfilled.

A journey shaped by kindness

Despite the challenges he has faced, Goutam says the support he received during his years in hospital has stayed with him.

That experience has shaped the way he looks at helping others. Alongside supporting his family, he regularly uses a portion of his earnings to feed stray animals in his neighbourhood.

"My journey has taught me the importance of kindness and compassion. I received support from people during some of the most difficult moments of my life, especially while I was in the hospital, and I have never forgotten that," he said.

For Goutam, even small acts of kindness matter. "Even small acts of kindness give me a lot of happiness," he added.

Two athletes, two journeys, one dream

Somnath and Goutam have taken very different routes towards their sporting ambitions.

One discovered gymnastics at the age of five and is now working towards an Olympic dream, supported by a father who has taken up delivery work to help finance his son's career.

The other spent years in hospital after a spinal injury before finding para-rugby, winning medals and then changing sports again to pursue his Paralympic ambitions.

Yet both stories underline the same reality: sporting dreams often depend on much more than what happens inside a training arena.

For Somnath, his father's determination has been as important as his own. For Goutam, financial independence has allowed him to continue training without giving up his responsibilities towards his family.

And despite the setbacks, neither has given up on representing India. Goutam's message to young people with disabilities is simple.

"Don't give up on your dreams," he said. "Your disability may change the way you achieve your dream, but it does not have to end it."

Somnath, meanwhile, continues to work towards 2027 international competition with the 2032 Olympics firmly in his sights.

The journey for both athletes remains long. But whether it is a delivery route through Mumbai or Bhubaneswar, a gymnastics mat or a para-sport training hall, every day represents another step towards the same destination - the chance to wear India's colours.