BHOPAL, 26 February 2005 — The Indian team could do wonders at the international level in kayaking and canoeing if players get the timely support from the government. However, blaming government on every occasion is not good as it is the responsibility of players and coaches too to think seriously over the improvement of water sports in India.
G. P. S. Bindra, secretary general of the Indian Kayaking and Canoeing Association, (IKCA), was speaking to Arab News in an interview here. He was in Bhopal as an observer of IKCA for the 15th National Kayaking and Canoeing Championship which concluded recently at the picturesque Upper Lake here.
Bindra said that dedication and discipline are the foremost pre-requisites to excel in water sports as they make the players perfect for the game. Having been associated with the association for the last 18 years, he believed that water sports is both entertaining and exciting game.
As regards the prospect of the medal in the world championship he said there are few promising players who have been performing brilliantly at the national and international level. “Amuthambi Singh and D Negi are the names that have the potential to win medal for India, revealed Bindra.
Of IKCA’s future plans, Bindra said the aim of the association is to popularize the game in every section of the society. “We have planned to open small centers in small but important places like Orchha town and others”, he added.
But he admitted that India lacks the kind of equipment essential to win medal in world championships. “The equipment we have can help the players to win medals in Asian Championship, but to compete in world championships players need more sophisticated equipment”, Bindra said. He said the association has decided to send players abroad so that they can learn and make themselves familiar with the advanced equipments.
Meanwhile, undaunted by the catastrophe that swept their kin and homes on December 26 last, a 23-member delegation from Andaman and Nicobar islands was in Bhopal to take part in the National Kayaking and Canoeing championship, though they hardly had time for practice for the big water sports event for obvious reason.
The participants said this is their way of expressing gratitude to the nation that stood with them through the crisis wrought about by the deadly tsunami waves. Team’s coach FE Andrew said there has hardly been any time for practice, nor were they sure of participating in the championship. They had slept all the days and nights since the holocaust in the open fearing a repeat of December 26 tidal waves as aftershocks continued to jolt the islands.
Nevertheless, the team was confident of grabbing a few medals here. And this they did prove as the team which was lagging way behind initially pulled up its socks and put its best foot forward as the championship moved ahead. Trailing at the eight place in the medals tally on the penultimate day, Andaman & Nicobar islands jumped to fifth spot on the final day behind BEG. They won two golds, four silvers and bronzes each which is a remarkable performance after being at the receiving end of nature’s fury recently
“We lost everything in the devastating waves”, said Rita Yuda, a member of the team. Her family has been provided tents by the government in the forest of Port Blair. She was not the only member of the team facing this problem. All her teammates have been affected by one or the other way by the tsunami tragedy.
The team coach lost everything within just seven minutes on the black Sunday. “The monster took everything from us as we are left with only the horrible memories of the day”, lamented international kayaking coach Andrew. In fact, the aftermath is proving more nightmarish than the fateful day. There are earthquakes every day or two. Most of the people due to this have started migrating from the islands.
“We do not want to leave our land but there is no life over there as the quakes have become a routine”, said manager of the team Shailesh Chauhan. However, he admitted that the Government has been doing its best by providing requisite relief measures.
Chauhan, who has been with the Sports Authority of India (SAI) for last few years, said the people of Andaman are very grateful for the support and relief sent from across the country. However, he added that aids are outpouring but not matching with the requirements.
