Dipa Takes on Federation, Says ‘Gymnasts Need National Events’

Dipa Karmakar said that not even a single National event had been held for gymnastics in the last two years.

With the hope that India’s budding gymnasts have better facilities and opportunities, Olympian Dipa Karmakar urged the Gymnastics Federation of India (GFI) to hold national competitions in the country with immediate effect, reported Mid-Day.

Highlighting the fact that not even a single National event had been held for gymnastics in the last two years, Dipa said:

We have gymnasts from different age categories—right from U-10 to seniors. If we don’t organise Nationals every year, these gymnasts will lose important years of their career. It is the need of the hour to hold the Nationals as soon as possible. I too, was unable to participate in the senior Nationals from 2013 as there were no competitions, so the federation should take a serious note of this.

Dipa’s inability to participate in senior Nationals since 2013 did not stop her from shining at the Rio Olympics, earlier this year. Despite missing out on a medal, India’s star gymnast from Agartala got great recognition for her performance at the Rio Games.

Echoing Karmakar’s sentiments, her coach Bishweswar Nandi said:

Gymnasts are waiting for a national competition from 2013. I urge GFI and its vice-president Riyaz Bhati to conduct the Nationals.

Gymnastics Federation VP 'Hopeful'

After a “fruitful” meeting with the Indian Olympic Association Secretary General Rajeev Mehta and other officials, GFI vice-president Riyaz Bhati said that “we are hopeful of conducting the Nationals in January with the help of IOA”.

A few years ago someone went to the Supreme Court with issues related to national competitions. However, the court told us to conduct the Nationals.

Riyaz Bhati

Karmakar made headlines recently when she announced her decision to return the BMW that had been presented by Sachin Tendulkar for her exemplary performance at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

(Source: Mid-Day)