Kozhikode:
"Where is that girl you reckon a hope for London Olympics?" I ask nervously as I was tentative about my knowledge of sports, especially athletics.
"Tintu. You are asking about Tintu Luka, She is right there on the track."
PT Usha - one of the best athletes India ever produced - is now training and mentoring a batch of 17 girls in Kinalur, in a calm quiet village near Kozhikode in Kerala and Tintu Luka is surely the brightest star in her galaxy.
"You can take her pictures, but no interview allowed. I do not want to put any pressure on her." PT Usha is very careful not to expose her protege; to unnecessary media glitter. So I click some photographs as Tintu Luka absorbs herself in practice session. Roughly three hour of practice every day in the morning and also in the evening.
If Usha's efforts result in success, Kinalur will definitely be among the most talked about places in the country. "We are very particular about the effort and performance the girls put in every day. We have no tolerance for any casual approach. Usha selects new girls every year and also weeds out the non-serious residents in our hostel" says Srinivasan who is Usha's husband and companion in this struggle.
This seriousness has really brought some success. Tintu Luka has got recognition in 800 meter split and won the fifth place in 2010 IAF continental cup meet. She is also a record holder at the national level in 800 meter. She has been invited for 2012 IAF diamond league meet in Doha and Rome. "These are big and rare achievements though in our country people do not write much about it," says PT Usha. "If the commonwealth comes they (Media) put it in news months before but getting an invitation for such an event is far more prestigious and important."
As you walk around the ground you see young faces practicing all over. The girls are between 12 to 22 years. Usha believes that the right age is 12 years in our country to enter into serious training. It is difficult to believe how these girls will win medals for us. Physically they don't look as strong as their European or American counterparts.
Nevertheless Usha believes. She has a different point of view. "Body is a God-gift. There are many girls who have come here. Tall and strong but they don't work hard. So what is the use of the physique?" She firmly believes that mental strength and the zeal to improve stamina is a far more important trait sportsmen should have.
"Look at Tintu. How much effort does she put in! 100 percent every time. There are stronger girls than her but they do not perform more that 85 percent. They cannot take the pain. So what is the use? They look so ordinary on the track." Usha believes that the hard work has brought Tintu Luka so far. She looks as normal as any other girl but it's the endurance that distinguishes her from rest.
Special meals are cooked for them in the hostel kitchen, according to the day's practice. A special Ayurveda doctor is around to take care of the limbs and muscles. Herbal massage and yoga is done after the practice to regain energy. Everyday performance is being recorded. What Usha did in the 80s is not archived by anyone but Srinivasan and PT are now keeping everything on record . "Tintu's records will help the future generations to prepare" says Usha.
So is there only one star in making we have? I ask inquisitively.
Usha will not tell you but Srinivasan -her husband and companion in this effort - gives me a glimpse.
"There are girls we are nurturing who will excel... better and better. Next to Tintu is Jessi Joseph, who has already broken Tintu's record in the same age." I had seen that 16 year Jessi on the track running with Tintu Luka. She has curious eyes and a smile on her face. Jessy Joseph is set to be a star in the future.
There are many others. With Jessy, I meet Sanjana, Chinchu Chako and Abidha. All of them are between 12 to 15 years and hold a promise for India. These are the girls who come from a very poor back ground, but that gives them the determination. In a way it has become their strength. They have seen the poverty, the problems at home and now they have the fire to do something. A dream to fulfill.
Funding? Where do you get the support? It is a problem. The land is given by the government. Every athlete needs one lakh rupees annually, at least. Individuals from organisations like Infosys are helping.
"When they will become hero everyone will come to sponsor. What is the use then? If we have to get medal in Olympics we need to put the money now." says Usha.
They serve me my meal -fresh and delicious. Everything is grown in organic manure and carefully cooked. I feel very high as a leave the hostel. These girls will not get as much attention as the IPL stars get but they will fulfill a dream, long awaited by country-an Olympic medal in athletics.
"Milkha Singh and I missed it by a fraction of second, but Tintu will do it for us." says PT Usha.
"Amen."I say.
"Tintu. You are asking about Tintu Luka, She is right there on the track."
PT Usha - one of the best athletes India ever produced - is now training and mentoring a batch of 17 girls in Kinalur, in a calm quiet village near Kozhikode in Kerala and Tintu Luka is surely the brightest star in her galaxy.
"You can take her pictures, but no interview allowed. I do not want to put any pressure on her." PT Usha is very careful not to expose her protege; to unnecessary media glitter. So I click some photographs as Tintu Luka absorbs herself in practice session. Roughly three hour of practice every day in the morning and also in the evening.
If Usha's efforts result in success, Kinalur will definitely be among the most talked about places in the country. "We are very particular about the effort and performance the girls put in every day. We have no tolerance for any casual approach. Usha selects new girls every year and also weeds out the non-serious residents in our hostel" says Srinivasan who is Usha's husband and companion in this struggle.
This seriousness has really brought some success. Tintu Luka has got recognition in 800 meter split and won the fifth place in 2010 IAF continental cup meet. She is also a record holder at the national level in 800 meter. She has been invited for 2012 IAF diamond league meet in Doha and Rome. "These are big and rare achievements though in our country people do not write much about it," says PT Usha. "If the commonwealth comes they (Media) put it in news months before but getting an invitation for such an event is far more prestigious and important."
As you walk around the ground you see young faces practicing all over. The girls are between 12 to 22 years. Usha believes that the right age is 12 years in our country to enter into serious training. It is difficult to believe how these girls will win medals for us. Physically they don't look as strong as their European or American counterparts.
Nevertheless Usha believes. She has a different point of view. "Body is a God-gift. There are many girls who have come here. Tall and strong but they don't work hard. So what is the use of the physique?" She firmly believes that mental strength and the zeal to improve stamina is a far more important trait sportsmen should have.
"Look at Tintu. How much effort does she put in! 100 percent every time. There are stronger girls than her but they do not perform more that 85 percent. They cannot take the pain. So what is the use? They look so ordinary on the track." Usha believes that the hard work has brought Tintu Luka so far. She looks as normal as any other girl but it's the endurance that distinguishes her from rest.
Special meals are cooked for them in the hostel kitchen, according to the day's practice. A special Ayurveda doctor is around to take care of the limbs and muscles. Herbal massage and yoga is done after the practice to regain energy. Everyday performance is being recorded. What Usha did in the 80s is not archived by anyone but Srinivasan and PT are now keeping everything on record . "Tintu's records will help the future generations to prepare" says Usha.
So is there only one star in making we have? I ask inquisitively.
Usha will not tell you but Srinivasan -her husband and companion in this effort - gives me a glimpse.
"There are girls we are nurturing who will excel... better and better. Next to Tintu is Jessi Joseph, who has already broken Tintu's record in the same age." I had seen that 16 year Jessi on the track running with Tintu Luka. She has curious eyes and a smile on her face. Jessy Joseph is set to be a star in the future.
There are many others. With Jessy, I meet Sanjana, Chinchu Chako and Abidha. All of them are between 12 to 15 years and hold a promise for India. These are the girls who come from a very poor back ground, but that gives them the determination. In a way it has become their strength. They have seen the poverty, the problems at home and now they have the fire to do something. A dream to fulfill.
Funding? Where do you get the support? It is a problem. The land is given by the government. Every athlete needs one lakh rupees annually, at least. Individuals from organisations like Infosys are helping.
"When they will become hero everyone will come to sponsor. What is the use then? If we have to get medal in Olympics we need to put the money now." says Usha.
They serve me my meal -fresh and delicious. Everything is grown in organic manure and carefully cooked. I feel very high as a leave the hostel. These girls will not get as much attention as the IPL stars get but they will fulfill a dream, long awaited by country-an Olympic medal in athletics.
"Milkha Singh and I missed it by a fraction of second, but Tintu will do it for us." says PT Usha.
"Amen."I say.
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