Athletes get better facilities only when they are national champions or win international medals. But for holistic development, good facilities is must for youngsters says Ancy Sojan

India’s Asian Games silver medalist in women’s long jump, Ancy Sojan, highlights the need to have fundamental training facilities at the grassroots level saying, good facilities will certainly attract more youngsters to take physical activities in their formative years of school.

Mud ground

Sprinter turned long jump, in her formative years of practice used to dig mud ground and make a jumping pit. “It was sort of fun to play, to dig the ground and use it as a jumping pit. But nothing can be better than having good infrastructure,” she recalls her formative years of training, adding the scenario hasn’t changed much as several regions in the country don’t have adequate playgrounds.

Lack of good facilities at the grassroots for jumping perhaps is also one of the reasons for Anju Bobby George’s two decades old national record of 6.83m in women’s long jump still remains unbeaten. “Good number of athletes at the domestic level in women’s long jump will enhance the overall standard,” she adds.

Training environment

Training facilities get better after reaching a national or international level. Training environment is certainly better at NCOE (National Centre of Excellence) and other training centres at the national level, but it takes time to reach a good level and enjoy a better environment for practice,” she explains.

Someday this season, Ancy believes she will make an attempt to improve the national record set in 2004 by Anju Bobby George. “Let’s see if this season goes according to plans,” the Kerala’s long jumper adds.

Paris Olympic Games

Ancy missed the 2024 Paris Olympic Games as she wasn’t able to achieve the tough automatic qualification entry standard of 6.86m, which was better than the national record. She also wasn’t able to improve her world ranking during the Paris Olympic Games qualification period to avail a chance through the world ranking quota system for Olympics. Top 32 athletes qualified for women’s long jump either through world ranking system or entry standard.

Comeback trail

Mid-way through the last season Ancy announced she was undergoing mental stress due to health issues. She took a break and made a comeback in February with a bronze medal at the just concluded Asian Indoor Athletics Championships in Tianjin, China. “It was a good experience to earn a medal on my debut at the Asian Indoor Athletics Championships,” Ancy told Sportsbackstory.com on her arrival to Delhi.

Asian Indoor

The Kerala’s 24 years old international jumper wants to carry forward the good momentum now. “A bronze medal at Asian Indoor Athletics Championships was a good start. Although I was expecting a better jump. But I couldn’t get a good rhythm to cross 6.40m,” she says.

Ancy best jump at Asian Indoor Athletics Championships was 6.21m, which earned her a bronze medal.

Asian Games

Her next stop will be outdoor regional domestic competition while the main goal will be representing India at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games starting July and Asian Games in September in Japan. “I believe a good performance in major competitions this year will certainly strengthen my chances to stay on course to compete at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games,” she adds.

EOM