Arvind KatyalChandigarh, August 20
In order to streamline the organising of trampoline and aerobics, the Gymnastics Federation of India will henceforth conduct these two events under their ambit. These two sport discipilines were earlier being organised by various federations. This was revealed by Mr Kan Singh Rathore, Secretary-General of the federation. He was here in the ITBP Gymnasium hall, Behlana to supervise the trials to select the national aerobics team.
Rathore who hails from Jodhpur, said, now, the federation would regulate events such as artistic, rythmic, trampoline, aerobics and general gymnastics. That meant, a separate nationals or combined nationals with all these events would be organised in different age groups. He admitted that a lot of work was required to be done at the grass-root level. Indian gymnastics still had a long way to prove itself at international level, but youngsters would be given exposure at the international level. He said, under the long term development plan submitted to the Centre training was aimed for all age groups.
On the question of sponsorship plan for the gymnasts, he said, budding gymnasts had to be groomed to that level. “If we prove our worth then there is no dearth of sponsors”.
Recently the Centre had suggested to give emphasis on three basic sport — athletics, gymnastics and swimming. Affiliated units to promote gymnastics at school level.
On the non-funding of the national aerobics team for the world meet, he said, since the Centre had not yet accorded due status to this event, so players had to bear the expenditure of going abroad. Moreover minimum number of players were being sent because the world standards were very high.
Rathore said talented gymnasts do not get international exposure so there was a proposal to invite foreign coaches for three to four months in different events.
