Indians can fare better if GFI conducts more tourneys: Dipa

Indian gymnast and Olympian Dipa Karmakar said that the prospects of Indian gymnasts is affected as the Gymnastic Federation of India has failed to function well. Gymnastics Federation of India (GFI) has failed to conduct tournaments at the national-level, she said.

She was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of 'Kanachur Agon,' a sports meet of Kanachur Institute of Medical Sciences at Natekal on the outskirts of Mangaluru on Saturday.

Stating that there is no required equipment for gymnasts before they are sent to represent the country in the Olympics, she said that, as a result, it is only the hard work of the trainers and gymnasts that helps them in succeeding.

"It was a difficult journey to get qualified to represent India in gymnastics after 52 years. Female athletes have not represented India in gymnastics at Olympics till I represented the country. The hard work of my coach, support from the Sports Authority of India and family members helped me to achieve success," she said.

"In spite of the Gymnastics Federation of India failing to function, the Sports Authority of India has been helpful. Parents fear that gymnatics is dangerous. As a result many children do not participate in gymnastics," she said.

Earlier, inaugurating the sports meet, she said that she is visiting Mangaluru for the first time. "The physiotherapist of the college is close to me. Indian physiotherapists are on par with international physiotherapists," she said.

Dipa's coach Bisweswar Nandi said that only hard work helps in the scuccess of an individual. "Dipa used to practice from 3.30 am to 3.30 pm. Dipa will reach greater heights with constant practice. It has been this guru-shishya relationship that has been respected," he said.

Kanachur Institute of Medical SCiences and Research Centre Chairman U K Monu presided over the function. Dipa Karmakar and her coach Bisweswar Nandi were felicitated on the occasion.