Date:19/10/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/10/19/stories/2008101959601900.htm

Sport - Sports : General

Bubka in a new role

Special Correspondent

Pune: Former pole vaulter Sergei Bubka is on a mission to give something back to the society in the form of helping poor children develop through sport.

The Sergei Bubka Podium Foundation Award identified Pune’s Community Aid and Sponsorship Programme (CASP) as the beneficiary for funds to support nutrition needs of children, besides help regarding buying sports equipment, paying for coaching and entry fees.

CASP, established in 1975 and working in Maharashtra, Delhi and Gujarat, is the first organisation to be supported in India.

“We need to keep children off the streets and sport is very effective,” said Bubka after felicitating performers at the Udayan Mangal Karyalaya.

Tushar Malpute and Bhagyashree Machutre (scholars), Kalyani Kulkarni and Jalja Shirole (sports), Sandeep Navale (NCC) were honoured.

Award launch

The Sergei Bubka Podium Foundation award, to be introduced from 2009, will be launched in Monaco later this year.

“Creating the SBPF award for CASP means I can give children from this area a chance to pursue their sporting dreams,” said Bubka. When asked by a young sportsperson about the route to winning an Olympic medal, Bubka advised her: “Dream of an Olympic gold medal. Work hard and never get pulled down by defeats.”