Malleswari fears sabotage

8220;There were people in the federation who opposed my participation in the Sydney Games tooth and nail. Even the media had written me off. Now, I am not sure whether my detractors will allow me to continue with competitive weighlifting at international levels or not,8221; a disenchanted Malleswari told reporters here.

Malleswari, here to receive a gift cheque worth Rs five lakh from Satyam Infoway, said she would have appreciated the recognition more had it been given before going to Sydney.

8220;People ask me what am I going to do with all the money that I have been showered with. I wonder why the same people did not come to me earlier to ask how I was preparing for the Games with so little money,8221; the iron lady quipped.

Malleswari said genuine support from her family, coach and fans made her change the earlier decision to quit the sport.

8220;I was elated, angry and frustrated simultaneously after I won the medal. All the injustices and hardships that I had gone through and the way I fought myself just to be at Sydney, flashed across my mind and I decided to call it a day.8221;

8220;I would have won a gold for sure but for the mental torture that I was in. Even my blood pressure had shot up after I read a negative report on me in one of the magazines. My coach felt I would not be able to perform at all on the D-Day. God had, however, other plans for me,8221; Malleswari said recounting her Olympic feat.

She said the setting up of sport academies were part of her effort to provide the younger generation a platform to showcase their skill and not let 8220;them go through the same hardships that I have gone through.8221;

Rating the chances of her youngest sister 11-year-old Kalyani as 8220;very bright8221;, she said, 8220;she has the potential to win a gold in the Olympics, going by her interest in the game weightlifting from such a tender.8221;

On a question about the reward or felicitation that thrilled her the most, the unassuming Malleswari replied in her characteristic modest way, 8220;the residents of my colony gave me a bouquet on my homecoming. I rate those flowers as highly as I would cheques worth lakhs of rupees. Anything given out of sheer love and goodwill has the same value for me.8221;