* ‘Lack of encouragement, area of concern’
Rajesh Dhar
JAMMU, July 14: The selection of State’s ace gymnastics trio of gritty Mitali, gutsy Palak and skilled Krupali to represent India in 20th Commonwealth Games scheduled to be held at Scotland in UK from July 23 to August 3, 2014, is an incredible achievement for the State of Jammu and Kashmir, which otherwise is striving hard to craft a space on the Country’s Sports Map.
These world-class sportspersons will be leaving the State for this exalted tour on July 17, 2014.
While imaginative Krupali will escort the Indian squad as coach, golden girls Palak and Mitali will be the playing members of the Indian contingent in these prestigious Games.
However, despite their landmark achievements, the lack of encouragement to these sportspersons from the concerned authorities still remains an area of concern for these outstanding gymnasts.
In absence of standard infrastructural facilities available at MA Stadium in Jammu, the trio has to utilize the facilities available at BSF School, Paloura before leaving for this gymnastics extravaganza.
These sportspersons have set an example of sparkling at the highest level, despite lack of facilities.
Mitali has the distinction of representing India in 29th World Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships at Mie, Japan in 2009, World Cup in Rhythmic Gymnastics at Minsk, Belarus in 2010, FIG World Cup in Rhythmic Gymnastics at Pesaro, Italy and member of Indian Gymnastics team for Commonwealth Games at Delhi, India in 2010, besides winning 38 medals in various National Championships, with 17 gold, 10 silver and 11 bronze, she also holds the record of winning all 5 gold medals in 18 Senior and Junior National R G Championships at Jodhpur in 2007.
Palak Kour, on the other hand has the honour of representing India in 4th Children of Asia International Games at Yakutsik, Russia in 2008, 6th Asian RG Championship at Tashkent, Uzbekistan in 2013, 32nd World RG Championship at Kiev, Ukrain in 2013 and FIG RG World Cup at Tashkent, Uzbekistan in 2014, besides winning 27 medals in various National Championships, with 8 gold, 12 silver and 7 bronze.
1971 born gymnastics coach, Krupalli, has represented India in 13 International events, besides winning 113 medals in her playing career. She has the honour of being the youngest Indian to receive it at the age of 18 years in 1989.
Meanwhile, sharing their experience with EXCELSIOR, 17-year old Palak, who is presently youngest in the Indian squad and acrobatic Mitali said that the selection has brought ecstatic rather blissful feeling to them, adding that they are hopeful of a good show despite lesser facilities in the State.
They attributed their selection in the Indian squad to the sheer-dint of hard work by their coaches S P Singh and Krupali Singh.
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