The way forward for the Tokyo Olympics is in limbo after the most recent wave of Kovid-19 in Japan. Opinion is split on whether or not the nation ought to arrange the Games in any respect.
In India, Pranati Nayak, the one gymnast who has certified for the Olympics, might face a unique battle – she goes to Tokyo with out her long-time coach and mentor Minara Begum, who has been teaching her for the final 18 years Huh. .
Sai’s veteran coach Meenara has been left in limbo by the Gymnastics Federation of India (GFI), as he isn’t named within the Indian contingent. Sai coach Lakhan Manohar Singh, who has been coaching Pranathi since Minara retired from Sai, will journey to the Tokyo Games with a gymnast.
“I’m feeling sad. What else can I say,” an offended Meenara instructed indianexpress.com
Veteran coaches have been coaching Pranati because the age of eight, and the success of the gymnast on the worldwide stage might be attributed to Meenara’s coaching.
A bronze medalist on the 2019 Senior Asian Artistic Gymnastics Championships, Pranati was the second reserve for the Asian quota after Sri Lanka’s Milka Gehani. She thus turned eligible to compete within the World Championships held in Stuttgart in October, 2019, the place she received an Olympic berth within the 4 devices of the all-around competitors.
Pranati Nayak was a bronze medalist on the 2019 Senior Asian Artistic Gymnastics Championships. (Credit: Meenara Begum)
However, regardless of Pranati qualifying for the Olympics, plainly the battle for Meenara is just not over but, as he has been eliminated as coach by the GFI.
“Every coach and athlete wants to participate in the Olympics. It remains the biggest dream for anyone involved with sports. I gave my all for Pranati in the last 18 years. Now I am shown the exit door. Someone else is going to my place. It is really disappointing, ”mentioned Minara, who retired from SAI in February 2019.
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“(Retirement) should not be seen as a hindrance when you consider coaches and approve them,” mentioned Lopamudra Chaudhary, a former gymnast who opposed the official choice to go together with Lakhan, 27 years outdated.
The gymnast from Tripura mentioned, “Minara Begum was nonetheless working as a nationwide coach after retiring from the SAI submit. She was Pranati’s coach for the Senior Asian Artistic Gymnastics Championships (held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia throughout April 2019) and the World Championships (in Stuttgart throughout October, 2019). Now he has been eliminated as coach simply earlier than the Olympics. Retirement can by no means be an element. We ought to oppose the choice of the Federation (GFI) which can’t be justified.
GFI President Sudhir Mittal didn’t instantly reply to the decision.
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With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS
