New Delhi: Dedication, determination, sacrifice, mental strength and scientific support are the key ingredients for success in sporting events in the international arena. This recipe was prescribed here today by sports champions – Asian Gold Medalist Priyanka Pawar, Asian Bronze Medalist Sarita Devi, Arjuna Awardee former international Table Tennis player Indu Puri and Basketball exponent Jayasankar Menon.
The four champions had assembled at the Major Dhyanchand National Stadium for an interactive session on the second day of India Sports Expo 2014 & TURF 2014 – the 6th Global Sports Summit, organized jointly by FICCI, Ministry of Skills Development, Entrepreneurship, Youth Affairs and Sports and the Sports Authority of India.
“Success to me comes from conditioning the mind; just as I do before entering the ring. I envision the contest a day before the actual bout and put all pressures at bay,” said a determined Sarita Devi, adding that “I am trying to forget what happened at Incheon during the semi-finals. A bigger challenge stares me in the face, that of qualifying for Olympics and I will devote all my energies to meet that goal.”
Said Priyanka, “Till today not a single Indian athlete has won an Olympic medial. To make this a reality we require more and better facilities for training if we are to shave off the micro seconds which today make a difference winning a medal and returning home empty handed. We also need coaches of international standards who through their research train the athletes for the bigger competitions.”
According to Indu Puri, “Champions are made in the mind, although there is no substitute for hard work. Even our Gods in the temples cannot be created without chiseling stones.” Success, she added, was to perform to the best of one’s ability; giving one’s 200% to achieve the target set.
Said Jayasankar Menon, “One has to analyse one’s strengths and weaknesses” and work upon removing the weaknesses and at the same time improving upon one’s strengths. Of course, one needs to be mentally strong and set higher goals with determination and hard work.”