India celebrates it first Olympic medal|Northlines Exclusive
An Exclusive Report by Arvind Sharma
The Jammu and Kashmir administration is least bothered for the achievement of its talented Coach who trained Silver Medal Winner at Tokyo Olympic, Ms Mirabhai Chanu.
The LG, his team of high flying Advisors, J&K Sports Council and all those related to the promotion of sports seem least concerned over the rarest achievement of the son of soil Weight Lifting Coach, Vijay Sharma who has been showered all praises and bouquets along with Mirabhai Chanu for their rare achievement that made the nation proud.
Weightlifter Mirabai Chanu on Saturday scripted history after she opened the account of India's medal tally with a silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics 2020. Mirabai Chanu bagged the silver medal in the Women's 49 kg category.
While there have been countrywide jubilations, here at Jammu, the home district of the Coach, no one from the J&K Union Territory (UT) administration has so far contacted and congratulated the Chanu's chief coach Vijay Sharma, who hails from a village in Akhnoor for his notable achievement.
“So far no one from the J&K UT administration has either contacted me or congratulated me,” Sharma told the Northlines.
The coach of Olympic silver medalist in weightlifting, Mirabhai Chanu, Vijay Sharma is an Awardee of prestigious Dronacharya Award.
Meanwhile, the Indian Olympics Association (IOA) has announced a cash reward for medal-winning athletes and their coaches at the Tokyo Olympics.
IOA Secretary General Rajeev Mehta speaking to ANI have said, “Coaches who are in Tokyo with athletes and have trained them will be given cash rewards. It will be a huge morale booster for them. Vijay Sharma Mirabai Chanu's coach will be given Rs 10 lakh.”
Coaches who are in Tokyo with athletes and have trained them will be given cash rewards. It will be a huge morale booster for them. Vijay Sharma Mirabai Chanu's coach will be given Rs 10 lakhs: IOA Secretary General Rajeev Mehta to ANI
— ANI (@ANI) July 24, 2021
Indian Olympic Association announces cash rewards to athlete coaches winning medals in Tokyo. Coach of athlete winning Gold medal to be given Rs 12.5 lakhs,coach of athlete winning Silver medal to be given Rs 10 lakhs&coach of athlete winning Bronze medal to be given Rs 7.5 lakhs
— ANI (@ANI) July 24, 2021
Notably, Chanu's Assistant Coach Sandeep Kumar, who is serving with the Punjab Police as Inspector presently posted at Sports Centre in PAP Jalandhar, has been specially congratulated by the Punjab Chief Minister for this great achievement.
“I have openly expressed my desire that I want to open an academy of weightlifting in J&K to train the youth of this UT and build in them the confidence to compete and excel in the games and competition at the highest level,” Vijay Sharma, the coach of Mirabai Chanu, told the Northlines.
Both girls and boys of Jammu and Kashmir, especially from hilly areas, have all the potential to excel at the highest level, Vijay Sharma said.
“I want to open an academy of weightlifting in J&K with the support of J&K Sports Council as I do not have the resources but the initiative has to be taken by the J&K UT administration,” he said adding, “I am confident that the youth of J&K, if provided proper coaching, motivation and guidance, would definitely bring laurels to J&K”.
Sharma said, “I have seen the potential and talent of Mirabhai Chanu, and I can say with full confidence that the youth of J&K have all the talent to excel at the highest level if provided proper guidance”.
Following this wishes from all corners of India poured in for the weightlifter, even Prime Minister Narendra Modi dialed Chanu and congratulated her for her historic feat. Mirabai Chanu's Chief Coach Vijay Sharma who has been coaching her since the days of Rio Olympics 2016, has expressed his jubilation on the weightlifter's win and also revealed that Chanu was going through some physical problems before the start of the match. However, there is no taker of such talent in Jammu and Kashmir.
