The 20-year-old Namita Kabat representating Jharkhand state team at the ongoing 53rd National Open Athletics Championships in Ranchi had earned the name of ‘Elite Player’ when she was just 16 years by bagging a Gold Medal at 800 meters of 1st Asian Youth Games 2009 held at Singapore.
Daughter of Orissa based agriculture family, Namita owes around 10-12 gold medals at various national athletics tournament. Sharing her feelings with The Pioneer, she said that it is her fortune that her efforts are constantly being recognized by sports authorities.
Describe your journey as an athlete till now.
I had been winning medals since my performance at the junior level tournaments. My actual winning form began from 2009 when I was shifted to Tata Athletics Academy at Jamshedpur in 2009 from Bhubaneshwar’s Kalinga stadium sports hostel and trained by Coaches Satnam Singh and Bagicha Singh. I cannot recollect the national tournaments as there are many.
In 2009, I made an international record 1st Asian Youth Games in my 800 meters running score and won a gold medal. At this international game held after a gap of four years, a girl from Maharashtra broke my record recently. In 2010, a new score record was made by me at the Junior National Athletics Championships, Bangalore in 1000-meters run.
What about your educational qualificationIJ
I am presently pursuing my Bachelor of Arts (Pass) first year at a college in Orissa.
Are you satisfied with your present performanceIJ
Not exactly as there is still lot much to achieve since now I am a senior player. Staying far from parents is not that easy but bringing smiles to their faces with my achievements means the world for me.
Who are your motivators at Tata Athletics AcademyIJ
My friends Alishka Agarwal, Sujata Nag and Ritu Dinkar besides my coaches. They always make me sure to feel comfortable and relaxed.