Sutirtha and Ayhika Mukherjee winning the table tennis medal will rank as one of India’s best ever table tennis performances of all time. For them to beat China in China in front of a partisan Chinese crowd, speaks volumes of their mental strength. Even yesterday against the North Korean pair they were in the contest till the very last game. For two athletes who haven’t had much support, this Asian Games has indeed turned the corner.
Soon after Revsportz put out an interview with the Mukherjee’s done by Trisha Ghosal in the evening, we got a call from Parth Jindal, one of India’s leading industrialists and a massive sports fan and promoter. Parth was unequivocally supportive and said JSW Sports will now support the Mukherjee girls. Needless to say, this will mean a massive moment in their careers.
The interview that we had put out was quote tweeted by Kiran Rijiju among others, which means the nation has finally realised the significance of their achievement.
And yet in a comment of telling significance, Ayhika Mukherjee, while speaking to Trisha Ghosal said, “When I was bending down to wear the medal, I was thinking will we always have to bend down or will we ever be able to stand up with our heads high and be recognised for our achievements?”
A very pertinent question. Given the current state of Indian sport- there is money, enough and more corporate support, it is fair that the Mukherjee’s seek support. In fact, the Asian games performance is good enough for them to now be included in the top scheme and be provided with support, which will perhaps get them ready for better performances going forward.
Also, what was shocking to see was even yesterday someone was trying to body shame them. What impact can this have on their mental health?
For God sake we need to realise the significance of their achievement. As I said before, to beat China in China is one of the most difficult things of all in sport. Look at Jyothi Yarraji and what happened in that race and you will know how nasty it is to body shame one of them after beating the Chinese and winning the first women’s doubles TT medal.
It is the worst possible way to show disrespect. Frankly, this is where India needs to get better. We need to celebrate our athletes and we need to celebrate athletic achievement for only then physical literacy will actually take root in this country. Yes the cricket World Cup is around the corner but what has been great to see so far is the public support and public euphoria for the Asian games.
The way the Mukherjees have been celebrated gives us hope. Sport is all about optimism, about breaking barriers, about creating new benchmarks and that is what Ayhika and Sutirtha were able to do in China.
For Bengal sport, this is a moment of reckoning. With support from the government, if it does happen, we can have many more Mukherjee’s in the future. They are an aspirational tale for many now in the state. Two girls from Naihati making it big in China is something that we need to celebrate and celebrate big, a story for the ages a story that India and Bengal will do well to remember.