That Indians are novices is only a myth

WHERE does Indian gymnastics stand? When will our performers have a starting value of 10 and when will we witness the execution for gaining a respectable score? Going by the recent Nationals at Ambala, there may be a couple of performers who, if provided with advanced training and facilities to protect their physical attributes, may touch the starting value.

A sport in which the spectators get enamoured by breathtaking elements, their combinations and the much-awaited flash of the scores on the electronic boards, our infrastructure lacks on every front.

The coaches and gymnasts lament about the worn out apparatus and mattresses. The result is a frequent injury, most commonly fractures and badly affected ligaments, and ultimately shortening of a career.

The apathy shown by the media persons in conveying the progress of the gymnasts is another reason felt by many for the stagnation. ``How many people get to know about the improvement of scores by our gymnasts? If that is not mentioned, the myth that we are novices will always be there'', said one of the renowned coaches.

When one got to talk about the infrastructure present all over the country from the top sides, apart from the Allahabad National Sports Academy, one got a half-hearted response. Mostly the equipment was in bad shape and space allotted was not adequate.

Recently, for the first time, an Indian junior girl managed a gold abroad in which gymnasts from Asia and Europe were in the fray. `` Punjab's Rohika, not only became the first Indian girl to qualify for the final in an international event (on foreign soil) of such magnitude, but also finished top on the vaulting horse, said Jagtar Singh, Indian coach, who had accompanied three girls for the second International Sports Games in Russia.

``I subscribe to an international magazine, International Gymnast, which gives me insight into the latest techniques and I try them on my local apparatus with whatever success I can manage, says Gurdaspur-based Jagtar Singh.

Since the nearest international apparatuses are available for Jagtar Singh only at the National Institute of Sports (NIS), Patiala, he has formed a private organisation in Gurdaspur, the `District Gymnastic Welfare Society' for collection of funds and maintaining his small set-up.

``We spend so much money on foreign coaches. Why do we not send our gymnasts abroad for the World summer coaching camp to upgrade our status ? I am sure our standard will improve if we go about in a proper way,'' says Jagtar.

Bengal, which has churned out quite a few promising gymnasts over the years, especially in the girls section, has two centres for training. `` Though we have foreign facilities at the Sports Authority of India (SAI), Eastern Centre, the leakage from the shed has damaged everything, says Kamal Bhandari, secretary of the Bengal Gymnastics Association.

The second is run by the state government where there is a permanent year-long coaching camp at the Khudiram Onusilan Kendra and training is conducted for six hours everyday.

The SAI Centre has produced the promising Tumpa Debnath, who was injured at Ambala due to a `hyper-extended landing. The 15-year old girl has already missed out on the Nationals last year due to an ankle injury suffered on an old floor at SAI. `` I was very disappointed, remembers Tumpa. The tough battle continues, as she is afraid to practice on available equipments.

On the positive side, Allahabad Sports Academy, is one of the technically better-equipped centres and also has the foreign expertise for improving the skills. `` Vikas Pandey, (the reigning National champion) will have a starting value of 10.00 in the pommel horse. This is our target for the Commonwealth Games in Jaisalmer, said Li Zi Ying, Chinese coach at the SAI Associated Centre.

``More of such academies are required. If U.P. can have it, why not others? asks Russian coach Alexandra Freety, who along with Zi Ying and Liu Yan Li are in charge of 300 youngsters at Allahabad.

``We have developed a culture. The boys have a bent education system (three hour classes with special teachers and the course is the same as stipulated by NCERT), and can wholly focus on gymnastics, says Mr. U. K. Mishra, the chief patron of the academy.

A database is maintained which has achievements and targets for the near future. For advanced training, there is requirement of an approximately 15-foot dig filled with foam. Only few venues have that. Plus, there are cameras around every apparatus and slow recorders to keep track of movements.

``We have short wave diathermy device to remove soreness. There is an ultra sound machine and sona bath for relaxation. We have employed Reena Kaul, a psychiatrist and a physiotherapist for boys, said Mr. Mishra, who on the basis of research has laid down a plan for boys which starts at 3.45 a.m.

``We have the results with us. And we hope more and more boys move towards that mark, says Zi Ying, who feels the Indian coaches lack technique for a zero-error performance.

Services, which is among the top sides in the domestic circuit, has acquired new equipment at Bombay Engineering Group, Kirkee, Pune through the efforts of Major Joginder Singh, the chief coach.

``He has worked hard for the Army Sports Company. Now we can focus on practice without fear, says S. K. Munowver, assistant coach of Services.

SAI is contemplating more centres in the country. Mr. O. P. Bhatia, Executive Director (Teams wing), SAI, was present at the Nationals in Ambala and mentioned the forthcoming project. `` We plan to have an academy each at Gurdaspur, Manipur and a southern centre, on the same lines as in U.P., said Bhatia.

A standing of beyond 180 in a field of approximately 190 countries is dismal, to say the least. But to improve the standard of our gymnasts, we need to strengthen the base atleast in the key states and provide them with foreign expertise.

RITESH GUPTA

New Delhi

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