A champion's nursery lies neglected

By V.V. Subrahmanyam

AMADALAVALASA, APRIL 5. Some things don't change. Maruthi Yuvajana Vyayama Mandali in Amadalavalasa is one such. This shed, a temporary arrangement since its inception in 1969, still presents a pathetic picture of the total ignorance of the authorities who govern the sport in the State.

This is strange considering the fact that it was here that ace weightlifter and Sydney Olympics bronze medallist Karnam Malleswari grappled with the basics of weightlifting for four years from the age of 12.

The dream that this training centre, if one may call it so despite its dilapidated condition, will get a facelift after Malleswari's stupendous feat still remains a dream. Not many officials bothered to visit and learn the problems which the group, headed by the 59-year-old Kothakota Ammi Naidu, face in its functioning. There is not even a cement flooring, leave alone the minimum, required number of three sets of training weights. The one in use was bought way back in 1969. The less said the better about other facilities.

Undaunted by the lack of facilities, 60 trainees, including 13 girls, still turn up with the hope of achieving something big. The training sessions are split into two daily under the supervision of Ammi Naidu besides R. Chinna Rao, a former silver medallist in `Mr. Andhra' competitions held in Visakhapatnam. The whole show is run on 20 cents of land with only the 30x14 yard shed protecting the trainees from the vagaries of the weather. What these enthusiastic youngsters badly need is a minimum of three sets of 15 kg for girls and 20 kg for boys.

For those who ensure that training goes on by pooling money from the interested locals, the motivation comes from the simple fact that Shailaja, another weightlifter who learnt the nuances of the sport at this same venue is now a gold medallist in the junior Asian championship and only recently a gold medallist in the Varanasi nationals.

Besides, K. Ramadevi, daughter of Ammi Naidu, whose enthusiasm defies his age and the problems he faces, is in the national camp. And most importantly weightlifters and bodybuilders from this Vyayama Mandali won the team championship 27 times in the last 30 years in the inter-district meet. So, as far as the promise amongst the talented youngsters is concerned, there is no dearth as this centre has sent 12 girls and 10 boys to the Eluru Weightlifting Academy.

Given this background, it is beyond comprehension how even the Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh, which went out of its way to sanction Rs. 5 lakhs for the conduct of the National School Games cricket tournament in Vijayawada recently when such an amount was not at all required, seems to be least bothered in this case.

If it feels that the trainees in Amadalavalasa can avail the facilities provided by SAAP in Srikakulam, about 7km from here, under the guidance of coach Neelamshetty Appana, and thus there is no need to offer any help, it is a different issue. But it cannot simply ignore the fact that so many are still training in Amadalavalasa.

The minimum that the parents of these trainees look for is proximity of the venue and this has to be ensured to sustain one's interest in the sport which ironically not many take up. After all, as Mr. Ammi Naidu says, all that is required is a maximum of Rs. 50,000 for extension of the existing shed, building a compound wall and to buy equipment.

If setting up an academy is beyond the reach of the State Government, it may not be a bad idea to at least provide the necessary equipment which should not cost more than Rs. 40,000.

This should not be a big problem for a Government which is spending Rs. 160 crores for setting up international standard infrastructure for the 2002 National Games.

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Section  : Sport
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