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  Sports   In Other sports  14 Jan 2019  ‘Having a SAI training centre in the state makes a huge difference’

‘Having a SAI training centre in the state makes a huge difference’

THE ASIAN AGE.
Published : Jan 14, 2019, 12:06 am IST
Updated : Jan 14, 2019, 12:06 am IST

Mahendra feels that the financial incentives will help motivate the younger athletes.

Mahendra Babhulkar
 Mahendra Babhulkar

Maharashtra bagged a rich haul of medals in the under-17 gymnastics category of the ongoing Khelo India Youth Games at Balewadi Sports Complex in Pune. The home state won as many as 23 medals in gymnastics in that category.

Maharashtra were buoyed by fantastic performances from Shreyas Mandlik, Krisha Chheda, and twin sisters Riddhi and Siddhi Hattekar who bagged a major share of the medals in the under-17 category.

Shreyas Mandlik missed out on a medal in the men’s artistic all-round category but made a perfect comeback, clinching medals in all of the four individual apparatus events he played in.

“I wasn’t feeling very confident initially, but words of inspiration from my coach turned things around. I still cannot believe I won four medals, and I am grateful to my coach and my family who have always believed in me,” said 15-year-old Thane resident Mandlik who won a gold and earned two silver along with a bronze.

Reflecting upon his team’s impressive start to the Khelo India Youth Games, coach Mahendra Babhulkar who has been instrumental in getting best from his trainees, credits athletes for better execution.

“I have observed that a major part of the credit for success in gymnastics goes to the coach. But I believe execution on the big day is crucial, and I’m glad that my athletes have delivered so far,” Babhulkar said.

Babhulkar and his team got the opportunity to practice at the Balewadi Sports Complex a few days before the Games began. He recognized the fact that the preparatory camp prior to the event helped them as they practiced with the same equipment and apparatus that would be used at the event.

Many of his young gymnasts have been training at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) training centre in Aurangabad, Maharashtra. “Having a SAI training centre in the state makes a huge difference to the way his gymnasts train as the facilities and equipment provided there are very good and add efficiency in training,” he said.

He also lauded the move by the government that provides financial support to the athletes at the Khelo India Games. “Such financial incentives add to the players’ motivation while also giving a bit of relief to the parents, as those funds can be utilized for further training,” said Babhulkar, signing off, as he turned his focus back to his young gymnasts.

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