Former Indian athlete Anju Bobby George has heaped reward on the Modi authorities for the assist supplied to sportspersons, forward of the Tokyo Olympics. George is the primary and solely world champion from India on the IAAF World Athletics Final and is a recipient of the distinguished Arjuna Award.
The extremely achieved athlete made the remarks throughout an interview with Indranil Basu on the Sony Sports channel. At about 8 minutes into the dialog, George emphasised, “Our Indian government is giving much priority (to the athletes). The Prime Minister is directly calling them after winning the medals. No one wants to leave (that opportunity).” She went on to elucidate the shut involvement of the Sports Ministry and Sports Authority of India with the athletes collaborating within the Tokyo Olympics.
Video Courtesy: Youtube/ Sony Sports“This is for the first time that it is happening like that. During our time, even our Sports Minister was a visitor in Olympic village. Even after winning the World Championship medal, India celebrated in a big way but the Ministry side nothing big. Yes, the Prime Minister (Dr Manmohan Singh) congratulated me, otherwise, nothing was there. This time, even before the games, the Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) is calling the athletes, interacting with them one to one, and encouraging them. Something big is happening in India. I am really missing out on fun and opportunities,” she added.
On being identified the lively involvement of Kiren Rijiju, regardless of being an ex-sports Minister, Anju Bobby George additional added, “He was very much into sport and he knows each athlete. Whenever we messaged or called, he was there. And he is ready to support. That is the kind of encouragement Rijiju sir was giving to our athletes. Even the new Minister (Anurag Thakur) comes from a sports background and he is also very good. So, this is the kind of support we are expecting from our Ministry and system. So, it’s not that they are celebrating only after the medal. They are there from the beginning.”
The retired athlete concluded, “They are supporting. They are behind us. The confidence they are giving to each athlete is showing the result. There is work (on the grassroots level). There are long-term plans. Sports Authority of India (SAI) is now planning for the 2028 Olympic Games and 2032 Olympic Games. This is how the system should work. And there are a lot of opportunities for the younger kids from the grassroots level. If you are talented enough, then, you will be noticed and will become a part of the system. Through this kind of support, (I am sure) India will be on the top one day.”
TOPS programme paved the trail for India’s success at Tokyo Olympics
Adequate funding is essential for a sportsperson to realize skilled success within the International area. All sporting classes, except cricket, has suffered from neglect and lack of coaching services. The athletes are sometimes confronted with sponsorship challenges, thereby making it troublesome for them to excel. Having understood the underlying motive behind India’s poor efficiency in Olympics Games, the Indian authorities launched the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) in September 2014.
The programme was monitored by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, whereby it supplied monetary assist and help to high athletes within the nation. With the target of serving to sportspersons safe Olympic medals for the nation, a TOPS Elite Altheltes’ Identification Committee and a Mission Olympic Cell have been arrange. The physique was tasked to establish high athletes and parathletes and supply them with a number of advantages.
It contains coaching by reputed coaches at world-class services, buy of kit, supporting the providers of bodily trainers, sports activities psychologists, psychological trainers and physiotherapists. At the identical time, the athletes are supplied with a month-to-month incentive of ₹50,000. The scheme covers sporting actions akin to desk tennis, tennis, weightlifting, wrestling, hockey, archery, athletics, badminton, boxing, taking pictures and para-sports.
Anju Bobby George’s achievements
Anju Bobby George is India’s first and solely World Champion within the IAAF World Athletics Final. She received bronze in lengthy bounce on the 2003 World Championships in Athletics in Paris turning into the primary Indian athlete ever to win a medal in a World Championships in Athletics leaping 6.70 metres. In 2005, gold medal on the IAAF World Athletics Final. She was awarded the Arjuna Award in 2002, Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award in 2003 and Padma Shri in 2004. She participated in 2004 Athens Olympics however remained in fifth place.