Since 2012, the 29th of August is celebrated in India as the National Sports Day to commemorate the birth anniversary of Indian Hockey Legend Dhyan Chand Singh, who won hat-trick Olympic gold medals in 1928, 1932 and 1936. Sporting events and seminar to spread the value of sports and physical activities is done on this memorable day.
This year, due to the lockdown, the live-events are not held and our champions are waiting patiently like tigers to attack. For this year’s National Sports Day, The Covai Mail spoke with some of Coimbatore’s finest sportsperson to get to know about their story, accomplishments and what they are looking forward to achieve.
Believe yourself
– G.Prasanth, Rifle Shooter,
Final Year-BCA, Kongunadu Arts & Science College
Prasanth participated in the national rifle shooting events and won the gold medal between 2017-2019. He was interested in rifle shooting since his childhood and is aiming for the Olympic Gold. “My journey is not full of victories. But in my shortcomings, I was guided by coach and motivators. My parents provided me the emotional support. Most of all, my college Secretary & Director’s encouragement and support in many ways helped me”. He conveyed us that there will be lots of obstacles in a sportsperson’s life. He optimistically said that if we ignore the negativity, keep faith in our skills and work hard, we can and will win.
Aspiring to train the youth
– A.Lawrance Jackson & Anbu Murugesan, Cricketers
CMS College of Science & Commerce
Jackson & Anbu are final year students; the former is pursuing his B.Sc CS, and has played in the All India Cricket Tournament 2019 representing South Zone. The latter is a final year B.Sc Physical Education student and played for the TNPL Dindugal Dragons in 2019. Anbu said that his family did not support earlier and feared that he may face failures, but as he won many zones, his name as a victor reached his parent’s ears.
Jackson’s brother, who himself was a cricket player, inspired him. He convinced Jackson’s parents that there is a scope in sports. Both cricketers said that they were very much supported by their alma mater and that really has helped them make it big so far. “I want to become a Physical Director and inspire others to take sports”, Jackson said. “My dream is to play at my best level and reach even higher in the next. I also wish to train even more number of children at my locale”, said Anbu.
Sports will make your name be known
– Meharaj.S, Power-Lifter,
II Year, MCA at Avinashilingam Institute for Home Science & Higher Education For Women
Meharaj has achieved much in national level power-lifting events. Recently she represented Avinashilingam Institute in All India inter university championship event and placed 6th in 84+ category and 3rd in South India Meet held by Powerlifting India association.
“My college’s Assistant Physical Director Dr.P.Nandhini, encouraged me to enter power-lifting. At first, my parents feared that I might injure myself. There were certain obstacles from other sides. Some advised that I should get married like other girls. But my parents understood that many girls with potential in sports lose their dream because they are made to give it up. My parents felt that if I achieve I could inspire other.
As I began to achieve more on State and National levels, it made my parents feel proud and they showed much support. Seeing my success, my juniors are asking me to train them in power-lifting”, said Meharaj.
Olympic Gold Medal is our dream
– L.Samya Sri & S.Kirubakaran,
Athletes, Dr.NGP Arts & Science College
Samya Sri has won multiple National medals in 800m running and Kirubakaran has set National, State and Bharathiar University records in 1500m running. Both students are pursuing their B.Com degree at Dr.NGP Arts and Science College.
Seeing his brother run at the track, Kiruba got inspired and got the insights of running from him. Samya has always been interested in running since school days. “We have an excellent gym, Physical Education Department and the freedom to chase our dreams. There are many sportspersons in our college and our management is incredibly supportive to us”, Samya Sri shared.
After winning the nationals for more than 3 consecutive years till 2018, Samya suffered an injury in her right leg. She could not make it to the podium due to that in 2019. “I was upset, I got treatment for my injury and I am training intensely. I am confident and I won’t rest until I achieve my goals”. Both the athletes have set eyes on the Olympic gold medal and no matter how many ups and downs come their path they assured that they’ll walk past all that to reach their destiny.
Prove them once !
– S.Arul Mozhi, Badminton Player
Sri Ramakrishna College of Arts & Science
Arul Mozhi pursues her Final year B.Com at SRCAS. Recently, she won the District level Singles/Doubles and Mixed Doubles Badminton tournament, and is focused on getting ranked the No.1 Badminton star in India in future. Her sports story began in school days. “Academics wasn’t my strength but I am very hyper with sports.”
” I have watched and played many games earlier but when I stepped inside the badminton court, I instantly fell in love with the sport.I must say that I got immense support from my college, than from anyone else ever.”
“At one point, my parents felt that I should fixate myself to a different career than be a professional sportsperson because I didn’t bag many medals continuously. I thought of giving my game and settling for the usual but one of my friend said to me that if I prove just once to those who doubt that I am a winner, then I can silence them and focus on my goals. So I did that. Her motivational speech that day and my love for the game and the support from my college has taken me to places”
Determination & Hope are important
– S.Monisha, Swimmer,
Sri Ramakrishna College of Arts & Science for Women
Monisha was fascinated with playing in the water and she converted her love for that as her sport. She won Bharathiar Univ. Gold medal in 100m Backstroke in 2019 event. In 2017 and 2018 she won the first place in 200m Individual Medley and the silver medal in 50m Backstroke in the University Swimming meet.
But her journey had its own traumas.
“ I took a two-year break (in my +1 and +2) because of back-pain. The water entering my ears caused migraine and that lead to the hiatus. But when I entered college, my Physical Director and Principal motivated me to try again. Coming back from a break and winning is not easy but I made it to the top with determination and hope. I believe these two are very important for every sportsperson”.