Kolkata, March 5: India’s star pistol shooter Manu Bhaker today said while India’s sporting culture is evolving, there must be greater financial and emotional support for athletes outside of the National teams if India is to win more medals on the global stage.
Taking part in a session titled ‘Eyeing the elusive medal’ in Trailblazers, India’s biggest sports conclave here, Manu Bhaker agreed with hockey star Vandana Kataria that things have got better in the past few years but echoed the thoughts of Squash ace Joshna Chinappa and rifle shooter Mehuli Ghosh that athletes needed greater support through their journey.
Manu Bhaker said she learns all the time and asks herself why she plays sport. “Why am I doing sport? Is it for the outcome or for the joy I feel when I shoot? ‘I enjoy shooting’ is the answer I get each time. Nobody wants to lose and we learn to put criticism aside and look at the positives,” she said.
“The culture is developing in India but good shooters who are not a part of the Indian team are not supported that much. They leave shooting. Besides, the fear of losing is something players worry because of the pressure exerted by social media,” Manu Bhaker said.
Joshna Chinappa said there has not been so much support in Squash. “My parents played an important role even when I had to go abroad for better training than in India. After 10 or 15 years, I have got support and it kept me going. Players need financial support to be competing on the ProTour and to compete and win in the Asian Games and other tournaments,” she said.
Vandana Kartaria said things were difficult when she started playing but improved because of greater support. “Our training, diet and the whole support system has changed for the good, we better equipped now,” she said. “It goes beyond. I was hurt by attacks on my family after the Olympic Games bronze medal match, but the support I got from the country helped me.”
Mehuli Ghosh asked for all sport to be supported equally. “We all give our best. It involves a lot of sacrifice, and it is a different routine and lifestyle where we must improve each and every day. Things have changed now from when I started, with the beginners being more aware and being more knowledgeable despite challenges in overwhelming circumstances,” she said.