Glasgow, July 30 -- Indian Olympic Association president PT Usha is pleased that the performance of the Indian athletes at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow is peaking. In a chat with Millennium Post on Thursday, Usha said the medals won and more loading are a very positive sign. As things stand, India will eventually finish with a medal tally of over 25, though what is officially recorded now is 15.
Usha said the performance from most disciplines is an encouraging sign. "This time, Glasgow organisers had to cut the disciplines to 10. Yet, what gives me happiness is the athletes have done well, both Able Bodied as well as the Para athletes. It is also very encouraging that even the British media is praising our efforts," said the IOA President.
India has won 61 medals at the last Commonwealth Games in Birmingham in 2022. This time, the medal tally has to be lower. But the way medals have been won even in track and field is a revelation. "We won a medal through Gulveer in 10,000 metres, we won a medal through Sarvesh Kushare in high jump and Murali Sreeshankar won in long jump. All this is very encouraging for me and India," said a happy Usha.
Travelling from one venue to another in Glasgow, be it athletics, boxing and weightlifting, Usha has been in touch with all the athletes. "The support which is being provided to the athletes is massive. All the stakeholders are on the same page, from the Sports Ministry to SAI and the IOA. Personally, I will mention, the medical support system comprising a team, led by Dr Dinshaw Pardiwala and the physios are backing up the athletes well. In the IOA, we have also helped bring the personal coaches of Neeraj Chopra and Sreeshankar," stressed Dr Usha.
In her view, the progress of Indian athletes will continue. "I am sure, even in the Asian Games this time in Nagoya, we will do well. As regards the next CWG in Amdavad, we will host a large-scale Games. India will do well in hosting as well as winning medals," added Usha.
The integration of performances from Able Bodied and Para athletes has also been very nice. "Glasgow had little time to prepare for the Games. Given the time constraint, they have put on a great show. The athletes are enjoying the atmosphere," said Usha.
As things stand, India's medal tally will cross the 25 mark. Boxers will boost the tally. There are already questions asked if Amdavad will have cricket in the programme in 2030. "We are going to plan in detail. All athletes who will compete in India in the next edition will get even more support is my vision," added Usha.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.