Mumbai: After having supported social initiatives like polio eradication and empowering the girl child in India, Amitabh Bachchan is now sponsoring the training and coaching of two talented female athletes for the upcoming Asian Games in 2014. The star has sponsored women athletes Ayonika Paul and Pooja Ghatkar — both of whom are rifle shooters — as part of the “Medals4India” campaign initiated by the NGO, Olympic Gold Quest.
Olympic Gold Quest was started by Indian sporting icons to identify and support Indian athletes with a proven track record and who have the potential to win. The news of the Big B’s support has won much approval from the sporting fraternity. Neha Kusale, who is a national level pistol shooter and who has trained with both Ayonika and Pooja, says the support is heartening.
“Both of them were going downhill for a short period of time but have fought back to the top of the national rankings. It speaks volumes for their mental prowess and fighting qualities, and with Mr Bachchan’s support, they will surely perform even better.” Neha’s father, Ramesh Kusale, is a Chhatrapati awardee. He says, “Shooting is expensive sport and any sort of help coming from any source is most welcome.”
Also, two-time Asian Champion-ships medallist and a bronze winner at the 2010 Commonwealth Games Jai Bhagwan says that film stars’ association with Indian sports is commendable. “Meeting a legend like Mr Bachchan is a dream for any Indian and its commendable that he has taken this initiative. I wish that more such celebrities would come forward and support sportspersons. The least they can do is speak about deserving sportspersons in the media and promote them and feature with them in advertisements.”
Rushmi Chakravarthi, who has won a record 45 ITF Women’s Circuit titles (the highest number set by an Indian female player), adds that the most important thing is that the sponsorship should be consistent over a period of time. “The biggest drawback in sports in the country is lack of sponsorship and support,” Rushmi says. “People don’t realise the hidden costs that a sport demands.
Sportspersons approach big companies for sponsorship but getting them to agree is tough. If popular figures like Mr Bachchan take this initiative, many other people will be inspired too. The governments in other countries promote sports, which is why they have good quality sportspersons. In our country, sports are not on the agenda. A name like Mr Bachachan will give Indian sports huge mileage.
But it’s most important that the support is constant for a substantial amount of time. If it’s for a short duration, or if sponsors give up when the sportsperson is injured or not performing as expected, it will only discourage players.”
