The Hindu : Sport / Olympic Games : An Indian rowing fairytale

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Sport - Olympic Games

An Indian rowing fairytale

V.V. Subrahmanyam

From the polluted waters of the Hussain Sagar Lake in Hyderabad to the Beijing Olympics! It’s been a fairytale for the Indian rowing trio of Bajrang Lal (single scull) and Manjeet Singh and Devender Kumar (light weight double sculls). Defying the indifference of the officials concerned, they virtually redefined the levels of commitment to achieve a sportsperson’s dream to represent the country in the Olympics.

Backed by the indefatigable C.P.S. Deo, President, Rowing Federation of India, these rowers never lost focus. Guided by Dronacharya Awardee Ismail Baig, the rowers — Bajrang, Manjeet and Devender — don’t want to talk big about their prospects at Beijing.

“All that we can say is that we will not be found wanting in giving of our best,” said Bajrang speaking on behalf of the trio.

They say that having trained on the hard waters in Hyderabad, they should be more comfortable in the Shanghai Lake where the Olympic competitions will be held as they can race faster (polluted waters make the boats slower and harder to row).

Keeping a low-key

For the first time, India will be competing in two rowing events in Olympics. Bajrang of Rajputana Rifles has the potential to pull off a surprise on his day. Clearly, neither the rowers nor the RFI officials are keen to invite pressure by speaking too much about their prospects.

Bajrang feels that it might be easy to ward off the challenge of the Asians and the Africans in Beijing and he hopes to be at his best against the formidable Europeans and the hosts. “National pride will be the main inspiration for all of us,” said the 2006 Asian Games silver medallist.

According to Manjeet and Devender, the Games will be a different proposition in terms of the high standards of competition.

Coach Ismail Baig has a point when he sums up: “Our first objective of qualifying for Olympics has been achieved. Any surprise performance there, should be a huge bonus for Indian rowing.”

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