Incheon Asiad medallist Lalita awaits 'promised' reward

MUMBAI: Many cash rewards were announced by respective state governments for the athletes who earned a medal for the country at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games and the Incheon Asian Games last year.
But did these rewards reach the targeted sportspersons? Not in the case of Lalita Babbar at least.
It's been more than three months since Lalita clinched bronze in the 3000m steeplechase event in Incheon but she is yet to receive any communication let alone the prize money announced by the Maharashtra government in recognition of her efforts.
Lalita had created a new national record in the women's 3000m steeplechase, clocking 9 minute 35.37seconds, on way to her bronze at Incheon.
"As an athlete I have been toiling really hard to do my country and state proud. Each second and even nano seconds count in the races I participate. It becomes difficult for me to take care of the expenses incurred on the diet and training recommended by the top coaches with the salaries I get as a Railway employee. So, a cash reward does help," Lalita told TOI from Ooty, where she is doing high-altitude training under national coach Nikolai Snesarev.
"The Maharashtra government had announced a cash reward of Rs 50 lakh for Asian Games bronze medalists but I have not received even a congratulatory message from them. Every state has already given away the prize money to the medallists. They (Maha govt) should at least check who all won the medals in Incheon or Glasgow," claimed the Central Railway ticket collector.
However, the 25-year-old Satara girl is not pessimistic and has her eyes set on qualifying for the World Championships in Beijing. The qualification time for the biennial event is 2hour 44minutes.
"This year my aim is to finish within 2:44 to qualify for Beijing. I know six minutes is a vast gap, every second is precious in sport. But the way my preparations have gone till now I am confident to make it. I have been injury-free and the training in Ooty has helped improve my stamina. It makes running at sea level far more comfortable. If the weather is good I believe I will make the grade," said Lalita, who created the Indian women's course record of 2:50.31 en route a hat-trick of Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon (SCMM) titles last year.
"I have been training in Ooty since two months after taking a month-long break following the Asian Games. I didn't compete in a marathon throughout last year in order to do well in Mumbai. I train for a total of six hours daily - 3 hours in the morning and evening - running 25 to 30 kms. On Sundays, though we run more than 60kms. Nikolai sir has been a great guide and has made me understand the value of diet control - not eating spicy and oily food just boiled stuff. If your metabolism is good it helps lessen the stress on the body," she elaborated.
Post SCMM, Lalita will participate in her pet event steeplechase at the National Games (Jan. 31 to Feb. 14) in Kerala before travelling to China for the Asian Track & Field in June.