Geet Sethi brought forth the change in perception about Indian sportspersons heading for the 2016 Olympics at Rio. “Winning medals is the focus for the Indians who have gained qualification. We do not go to the Games to just participate,” said the cuesport legend and co-founder of OGQ.
He was referring to the priority shift among Indian achievers supported by the OGQ in the Olympic preparations. “Winning medals is the motivation and an Olympic gold is what excites them. We have converted cynicism and frustration into positivity.”
OGQ co-founder Prakash Padukone, speaking on the Olympic preparations, said: “The government is doing a lot to support Olympians preparing for Rio, apart from private bodies like us doing our bit.”
Shooters, shuttlers and boxers on the OGQ support list for the Rio Games presented their viewpoints. The two legends also responded to a query about the selection controversy in the men’s 74kg freestyle category, involving Sushil Kumar and Narsing Yadav.
The selection issue is now in Delhi HC, with the WFI asked to respond to Sushil’s appeal for a selection trial bout. “I don’t want to get into the negativity part. It’s not the purpose of my core existence here today. My purpose is to see that athletes prepare well. Every sport has its own rules and own selection criteria. I am not here as a judge trying to impose my viewpoint on how selections should be done.”
Padukone explained: “We (OGQ) work with the federations and the government. We are not here to fight or give our thoughts. We don’t want to get into the administrative or selection process. We leave it to the federation on selection matters.” Sushil Kumar is one of the Rio hopefuls supported by the OGQ. The Olympic quota for India in the 74kg was earned by Narsing at an international event where Sushil did not compete.
