India’s first ever Olympic Gold medallist Abhinav Bindra
PANAJI
"Olympic Games should be used a catalyst for change – developing sport at different levels – school, grassroot, the community; to make the country healthier and more active,” declared Abhinav Bindra, India’s first ever Olympic Gold Medallist in an individual event – shooting.
Bindra made his august presence felt at the FIDE World Cup in Arpora on Monday by making the ceremonial first move for Uzbek GM Javokhir Sindarov in the first classical game of the final.
The 10m Air Rifle Olympic Gold Medallist in a media interaction was of the firm opinion that the development of sport and having consistent medal winners are aspects that should go parallel.
“For the development of sport, a lot of work has been done in the last few years at a good level to give athletes a lot of support. But of course, we would like to see more athletes win medals. Especially when hosting Olympic Games in your own country, you would like to see you would like to see your own athletes do well. I think we have to use the Olympic Games bid as an opportunity for development. We do not want the Olympic Games to be just a two weeks sporting extravaganza,” the ace former shooter asserted. “We should invite sport into the fabric of our society with the young demographic. Sport is becoming more popular but I do believe we have to actively work much harder to increase the playing population of this country,” Bindra added.
Building a legacy beyond the sport that has given him laurels and acclaim, the former ace shooter has dedicated himself towards the upliftment of Indian sports through his foundation.
Asked by The Goan Everyday if he would look to provide a helping hand towards chess, Bindra openly welcomed the idea. “To be very honest, we have not focussed on chess as a sport to support. Given to my background, we have focussed on Olympic sports. We provide young athletes a STEAM Scholarship Programme which incorporates science, technology, engineering, analytics and medicine, as well as provide athletes with training across different sporting disciplines. Having said that, it is a good idea if I can support any chess player that are interested in it. I am quite sure chess is not just played seated down, but it also requires great amount of physical preparation. To be mentally alert, one is required to be physically in good shape. Both are very interlinked. If I can support the sport of chess, I will be happy to look into it. But so far, we are focussed predominantly on Olympic sports,” he asserted.
Known for his painstaking dedication and perseverance to bear fruition as an athlete, Bindra has invaluable advice to give to promising athletes. “There is no shortcut to success. The shortest way to success is hard work. You have to put your best foot forward and keep working hard. Olympic Games for me do not come once in four years, they come every day. Every day you have to put in your best show to try to get better than what you were yesterday,” he stated.
