With much fun fair 38th National Yoga Championship comes to an end on Wednesday. In the championship West Bengal came out with flying colours.
The team won seven gold medals, nine silver and five bronze medals. With four gold and six bronze medals Jharkhand manage to get into third position. However, the yoga players of Jharkhand looked quite unhappy with their secured position as they feel that lack of contestants and no sponsorship were the major reasons behind their position.
Tamal Bhowmick a player of Jharkhand who won bronze medal in Asana in 21-25 years men group said, “We are not satisfied with the position secured. If we would have been supported with sufficient resources and had been provided a sponsorship then instead of West Bengal the flag of Jharkhand would have been hosted as a winner.”
Echoing him another player Azad Tiwari said, “In Jharkhand there are best players but lack of opportunity restricts them to showcase their talent in the appropriate direction. The State Government instead of making flowery speech on the podium should work on the promises they make. Many participants failed to present their unbeaten talent in this championship due to financial crisis.”
Majority of State players have a weak economic background and as a result of that they desperately need a financial back-up from the Government to enhance their inborn talent. Jharkhand Men’s Team Coach Pankaj Prasad said, “It is remarkable to achieve third position under a crisis situation. This suggests the caliber of our state players. The need of the hour is that the Government should look into the matter seriously and instead of words should show some action.”
However, Ranchi MP’s representative Sushil Shahi on the concluding ceremony said, “Jharkhand players need the support of the Government in shaping their talent and writing the state name with golden letters in the book of history. I promise to draw the Government attention in this direction and urge the concerned officials to take concrete step in this direction.”