The Hindu : AAFI honours Anju

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Sep 17, 2003

Sport

Sport - Athletics

AAFI honours Anju

By Our Special Correspondent

Anju Bobby George and her husband Robert Bobby George wave to the crowd during a felicitation function in New Delhi on Tuesday. Looking on is IOA president Mr. Suresh Kalmadi.

NEW DELHI SEPT. 16. Anju George and her husband Bobby walked down the red-carpeted aisle as an audience of athletics lovers turned up in impressive numbers to honour them. With celebrations in the air, the background score best ignored for it struck a jarring note, the two carried themselves impeccably at the felicitation function organised by the Amateur Athletic Federation of India (AAFI) at the Nehru Stadium warm-up area on Tuesday evening.

More than the cheque of Rs. 5 lakhs that the AAFI President Suresh Kalmadi presented to Anju for becoming the first Indian medal-winner in the World athletic championship, what stood out was the humility with which she and Bobby accepted the accolades of those present.

Kalmadi, in his brief speech, expected nothing less than an Olympic gold from Anju next year. On her part, the Kerala long-jumper said the appreciation heaped on her and Bobby had made them "`more responsible'' and she would try her best to "meet the expectations in Athens.''

In her prepared acceptance speech, Anju remembered and thanked all those who supported her career.

Bobby, who received a cheque of Rs. 1 lakh, began by pointing out that it was not his singular effort that had made Anju a medal-winner on the global stage. "It is not an individual effort, it reflects the contribution of the society we belong to,'' he said before reading out what sounded like a perfect `vote of thanks.'

Later, in an informal chat, Bobby made it clear that Anju would not be taking part in the Asian Track and Field championship beginning at Manila from September 23. "We are eagerly looking forward to the Afro-Asian Games (at Hyderabad). Representing Asia is going to be a matter of honour and we are already very excited about it.''

However, Bobby noted with surprise that Namibian sprinter Frankie Fredricks, winner of four Olympic medals, had not even heard about the Games.

All this while, Anju was surrounded by mediapersons and later by young athletes who had come from Bahadurgarh.

In spite of being understandably tired, Anju retained her disarming smile and obliged all requests for interviews and autographs.

Those who attended the function, managed by First Union, included former Asian champion Shiny Wilson, athletes and coaches bound for Manila, the AAFI Secretary Lalit Bhanot and Sports Authority of India officials headed by Director General Shekhar Dutt.

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