Gymnastics Federation of India is sending a 32-member national team, including seniors, for the Asian meet in Hong Kong

Navneet Singh

Elven senior trampoline gymnasts, including female athletes, will be chasing Asian Games berths when they compete at the two-day seventh senior Asian Championship in Hong Kong starting May 23.

The second Asian age group competition is also being held at the same venue. All the team members will have to fund their own trip to Hong Kong, says Sudhir Mittal, president of the Gymnastics Federation of India (GFI).

Trampoline gymnastics is an official medal event at the Aichi Nagoya Asian Games in Japan.

“Good results in Hong Kong will certainly brighten chances of Indian players to win berths for the Japan Asian Games,” says Pawan Bhoir, one of the coaches from Maharashtra named for the Hong Kong tour.

Sudhir Mittal, president and Chief Executive of GFI says, the federation has no funds to pay for the Hong Kong tour. “The players will have to make their own arrangements,” Mittal told Sportsbackstory.com.

Each player has to shell out Rs 1.50 lakh approximately for the Hong Kong tour. “It’s a big challenge to arrange money for a player from a middle class,” one of the team members told Sportsbackstory.com

The government, according to Mittal, a retired bureaucrat, only sanctions funds for artistic gymnastics. “Players are generally able to manage sponsors for international tours,” says Sudhir Mittal.

GFI is facing a legal battle for non-compliance of the National Sports Code. The federation has overall shortlisted a 32-member team. The players and coaches have been directed by GFI to reach Hong Kong on May 21.

Of the 32-member national team 23 are from Maharashtra, including the age group team. Of the 11 senior India team members, eight are from Maharashtra. Five of the 10 coaches are also from Maharashtra.

“Trampoline is more popular in Maharashtra than other parts of the country,” claims Pawan Bhoir, a coach from Maharashtra.

The coach from Maharashtra says the state government has a policy to support players and the expenses of those going to Hong Kong will be refunded if all necessary documents are furnished.

EOM