Vaulting hopes on parallel bars

One of the main reasons for the increasing popularity of gymnastics, according to B S Ojha, president of the Gymnastics Federation of India, is that competitions are being organised in a more systematic manner for the last two or three years and there is a general awareness among parents and the youth alike about the need to develop the skills at an early stage.

Although gymnastics is one of the most popular disciplines in several European countries as well as the most sought-after event in Olympics or Asian Games, it had never been as popular in India for various reasons.

Paucity of funds to purchase costly equipment has been a major hurdle in the promotion of the game.

But Ojha feels that the deficiency has been overcome with the federation and the government coming forward to help associations who are keen to set up gymnasiums of their own.

8220;Uttar Pradesh Allahabad is a major centre for gymnastics, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Punjab, Haryana and Delhi have in recent years acquired the necessary equipment for the game and have been regularly conducting competitions at the state level to encourage the game,8221; Ojha said.

8220;We have made it mandatory for each affiliated association to conduct its own championships before sending gymnasts for the nationals. Earlier, several state units were non-functional during the entire year. With better organisation and more frequent competitions, we have been able to give a fillip to the discipline,8221; Ojha and the federation secretary P S Virk said in unison.

Both, however, agreed that the main hurdle even now was the non-availability of knowledgeable coaches. The federation has requested the government for sanction of foreign coaches to train boys and girls on modern methods. The federation presently has hired two foreign coaches who are functioning at Allahabad. 8220;We have sought sanction for one more coach for Punjab and Manipur as we plan to send a squad for the Asian Games this year,8221; Ojha said. He agreed that at least a couple of coaches at each centre was necessary to give proper training to the youngsters.

Another major factor that had hampered the progress of the game has been the poor standard of indigenous equipment. 8220;It does not measure up to international standards and foreign equipment costs as high as Rs 40-50 lakhs which not all associations can afford,8221; Virk explained.

For the last four years, India have been sending its team for the Hungary age-group competitions and the 8220;results have been encouraging.8221; Vikas Pandey of Allahabad won praise for his golden8217; performance in the SAF Gymnastics Championships. Vikas Sabharwal and Jaswant Kaur have done the country proud by winning medals at the international level in their age-groups. With more children taking to the sport, the GFI officials see a bright future for the sport in the country. It may be too premature to say whether the country can produce a world champion in the future, but it is an encouraging fact that more and more youngsters are taking to the game seriously and that the federation is more serious in its efforts to promote the game.