“After coming to know about Swapna’s case, the Sports Minister immediately directed us from Jakarta to get customised shoes for her. We have taken up the matter with Adidas and they have agreed to provide the footwear,” said SAI Director General Neelam Kapur. Born with six toes in both her feet, Swapna’s plight came to light only after she became the first Indian athlete to win an Asiad gold in heptathlon with a career-best performance at the 18th edition of the Games in Jakarta last month. 

After her victory, the athlete made an emotional appeal for customised shoes and the SAI immediately sprung into action after Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore directed the concerned authorities to take up the matter on an urgent basis. The SAI has already sent a communication to Swapna’s coach Subash Sarkar at its Centre of Excellence in Kolkata.

Barman confirmed that she got a mail from the SAI headquarters in New Delhi on Thursday, seeking the necessary details required for the shoes. “Yes, I got a communication from SAI, Delhi asking for specification to prepare Swapna’s customised shoes. I am yet to meet Swapna as she is injured. But, I will provide the details soon once I meet her,” Sarkar said from Kolkata.

Sarkar added he had told SAI officials about the need for customised shoes for Swapna just before the Asian Games but the matter gained importance only after her victory in Jakarta.