Malleswari vows to help poor sportspersons

By Our Special Correspondent

VISAKHAPATNAM, NOV. 3. The Olympics bronze medal winner, Ms. Karanam Malleswari, is determined to train poor and talented sportspersons at her proposed sports academy in Hyderabad.

Talking to reporters here last night, the champion sportswoman said that having suffered poverty herself she was determined to encourage poor sportspersons. Asked what prevented her from setting up the academy in north Andhra, which was a backward area, Ms. Malleswari replied that she would take talented sportspersons from the region to Hyderabad at her own cost, and train them to bring laurels to the country. She would also like to settle in the State capital only.

On the controversy as to who was her first coach in Amadalavalasa in Srikakulam district---she has refused to give the credit to Appanna who claims to have taught her the rudiments of the sport---Malleswari revealed: "He trained my sister and also Neelamsetti Lakshmi. But he never coached me. In fact, he rebuked me when I went to him seeking training. I was very thin then and he told me that I should better wash dishes at home."

After learning the fundamentals and earning recognition, she had her training outside Srikakulam. The weightlifter said she would strive to renovate the Maruthi Vyayamashala, the gymnasium where she practised initially in Amadalavalasa which is now in a dilapidated condition. She also said that she had nothing to do with Voosavanipeta, which was claimed as her native place in Srikakulam, and belonged only to Amadalavalasa.

The ace weightlifter said that the foreign coach, Mr. Tarnenko, played a key role in her bronze medal winning effort. There was also a need for foreign coaches, she felt. Regarding the Indian coach, Mr. Sandhu, who levelled charges against her, Ms. Malleswari said that her problems with Mr. Sandhu were not new.

Asked about how she is contemplating training the youth when she herself supported foreign coaches, she replied that there had to be a day when Indian coaches developed the expertise to impart the best training in the country. When a

reporter asked what she would do with all the gifts that were showered on her in the wake of her success, Malleswari quipped: "None asked me what I did when I had no money. I know starvation, and will spend the money the way it should be spent."

Her husband, Mr. Rajesh Tyagi, who is also a weightlifter, and Mr. S. Kodandaramaiah, noted volleyball coach, were also present.

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