Saina Nehwal, Jitu Rai and Sarita Devi are just three among several Indian athletes supported by Olympic Gold Quest (OGQ), but the trio have perhaps benefitted the most from their association with the not-for-profit organisation. Their success, in no small part, is owed to the single-minded focus of OGQ, which was started in 2001 by sporting icons Prakash Padukone and Geet Sethi. The aim - to identify and guide sportspersons who have the potential to win medals at the Olympics. Nearly 70 athletes, including 26 promising juniors, are covered by the programme.
With an eye on the 2016 Rio Olympics, badminton star Saina had decided to end her association with acclaimed coach P. Gopichand in September last year. She wanted to move to Bengaluru and train under Vimal Kumar. Viren Rasquinha, OGQ CEO, explained that his team focussed on making the transition smooth, rather than questioning the wisdom behind shifting base to a new city. “It was a huge challenge for Saina - to leave her coach, her home, her family. OGQ wanted to do everything possible to make her comfortable in Bengaluru. We assisted her by providing accommodation, and worked out her travel arrangements. Saina needed emotional support, so we helped her mother move to Bengaluru as well,” Viren, a former hockey international, said at a media interaction session here recently.
Once Saina was made to feel comfortable in her new surroundings, more serious work was to follow. Strength and endurance training commenced, and OGQ even arranged for regular blood tests to rule out illnesses. “Before Saina arrived in Bengaluru, she was ranked seven in the world. Under coach Vimal Kumar, she gradually made it to No. 1. We believe that she is on track to winning a medal at the 2016 Olympics,” Viren said.
Shooter Jitu Rai, another medal hope, faced a different challenge. Between January 2013 and January 2014, Rai stayed competitive, but remained just outside the top-15 in the 10m air pistol and 50m pistol events. OGQ took him on board in February last year - the right weapons and ammunition for training were procured, and an improved fitness regime was established. This led to Rai winning a total of seven medals in the year, and he also became the world’s top-ranked shooter along the way.
For Sarita Devi, it was about getting a second chance. Her hugely-disputed semi-final loss at the 2014 Asian Games was followed by a wrist surgery - the sequence of events left her down for the count. An emotional Sarita thanked OGQ for lifting her off the canvas. “First came the Asian Games controversy, and then the surgery. I was very upset. That is when OGQ stepped in and helped me. They wanted to get me back in action, and I have been training in Bengaluru for the last three months. After the surgery, I remember sitting at home and thinking – ‘My career is over, I can never come back.’ But now, after spending some time in the ring, I am full of confidence. I am very lucky to get a second chance. All this would not have been possible without OGQ,” Sarita said.
The 30-year-old from Manipur is also grateful that she now has someone to lean on, after spending years waging a lone battle. “My father died when I was young, and my mother was a housewife. She did not have the resources to give me what I needed to become a champion boxer. I’ve never had support in my life, until now,” she said.
OGQ co-founder and ace cueist Geet Sethi
“A year before the 2012 London Olympics, Gagan Narang wanted to go to Birmingham (England) for three weeks, just to choose what ammunition he wanted to fire. He was sure that he needed to go, so we sent him to Birmingham. There is a fantastic facility there which allows shooters to choose - in a scientific way - what ammunition to go with. He was using German pellets at the time, and after he tried out other types, he finally decided to use Chinese pellets at the Olympics. Of course, we know that Gagan then won bronze at London. A top-level athlete knows exactly what he or she wants. I may not be able to understand it, but I need to trust his judgment.”
OGQ co-founder and badminton stalwart Prakash Padukone
“The needs of a modern sportsperson are the same, but the opportunities are different. Now, for every activity that an athlete is involved in, there is a specialist. Earlier, one coach looked after everything. A badminton coach would be in charge of physical training, mental training and issues related to injuries. These days, it makes sense to make use of the specialization that is available.”
OGQ board member and chess wizard Viswanathan Anand
“We have corporates to help us with funds. This is what allows us to go ahead and spend money on our athletes. We are not constrained by the budget. If we need something, we will try to get the money for it. You have to select athletes based on their potential to win. If we find someone with potential, we cannot deny him the help that he deserves.”
