Kochi: Olympian Anju Bobby George sounded happy after quitting as president of Kerala State Sports Council.
“It is a huge relief,” said Anju before boarding her flight to Bengaluru from Thiruvananthapuram. “I don’t know if I’ll associate with state government activities hereafter. I’ll have to think over it several times if they approach me again,” said the long jump national record holder.
The 2003 World Championship bronze medallist has a new responsibility as she’s appointed an executive committee member in the Khelo India project of ministry of sports and youth affairs under the Union government. That is in addition to the chairperson role of Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) that she holds since November 2015.
“The Khelo India project is a nation-wide project that includes talent scouting,” says Anju. “It is a collective effort under the Centre. There are many committees from village level and my role is to give ideas,” said the 39-year-old.
On being asked if the spar with the Kerala will distance her from sportspersons in Kerala, Anju said: “I don’t need a post to support sportspersons, maybe it is better this way, without the burden of a post.” Earlier this month, Anju and her husband and coach Robert Bobby George started a jumps academy, with support from Sports Authority of India, in Bengaluru.
