Mohan Kuthar
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (EP)
Mangaluru, Dec 16: “Success is assured after hard work,” said India's only ace gymnast Olympic medal winner, Padmashree Deepa Karmarkar.
She was speaking after setting in motion ‘Agon 2017’ annual tournaments held in Kanachur Arena playground of Kanachur Medical Science Institutes at Kanachur, Natekal on Saturday, December 16.
“Success is assured everywhere after hard work. Kanachur group of Institutes have grown in the same lines. Students who participate in the tournaments should grow so as to represent not only in the institute but also in the country,” she hoped.
Kanachur Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre chairman U K Monu who chaired the programme said, “Deepa is a role model for the girls in the country. Girls can achieve success in all the sectors when they take Deepa Karmakar who has achieved success after hard work as an example. May Karmaker who brought glory to the country, reach greater heights,” he said.
Director of the research centre, Abdul Rehman Kanachur, administration officer Dr Rohan Monis, senate member Dr U T Iftekar Ali, Zohara Monu, medical superintendent Dr Deviprasad were present.
Deepa Karmakar and her trainer Bisweswar Nandi were felicitated. College dean Dr Viroopaksha welcomed. Sharul and Aishwarya compered the programme.
Bisweswar Nandi, coach of Deepa said that he used to train her from 3 am to 3 pm. “I had told her that there is time to come but not to ask the time to leave. When I was training her till her heart's content for several hours, I had screamed at her that I am not a machine,” he said.
Bisweswar Nandi speaking to reporters said that several athletes in the country are facing hardship as Gymnastic federation of India does not function. “No competitions are held and no sports accessories are formed by the government. Coach had to train the sportspersons real hard in the absence of accessories so that the competitor may succeed.
“It was difficult to get an opportunity to represent the country after 52 years. No girls had represented the country in gymnastics in Olympics. Those who took part had achieved only 64.66 points; therefore, participating was a challenge. There was fear in the mind being from Tripura state. Yet the hard work of the coach and guidance from sports authority of India and family helped in the achievement and to bring good name for the country. Though Gymnastics federation of India does not function, sports authority of India has supported by providing accessories worth Rs 78 lacs.”
“Parents in India want to make sure that their children do not sustain injuries while playing. Therefore, they do not allow them to take part in gymnastics. But government holds a camp in Delhi and provides training encouraging children to take part in gymnastics,” he said.