• 3 months ago
In an exclusive interview, AFI President Anju Bobby George reveals her dynamic vision for the future of Indian sports. George discusses the transformative impact of the Khelo India initiative, her aspirations for Indian athletes at the Olympics, and plans for developing world-class facilities like the Kanteerva Stadium. Her insights shed light on the strategic advancements aimed at elevating India's position on the global sports stage and fostering a new generation of champions. Discover how George's leadership is set to shape the future of athletics in India.

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Transcript
00:00So, ma'am, I'll start with Khelo India first, you know, I mean, it has been important since it came up,
00:10it has been very important, crucial for Indian at least development, how you look at it, you know, in the coming seasons?
00:16See, Khelo India was a brainchild of a Prime Minister and see the grassroots support what Khelo India is offering is immense.
00:26Initially, it was just like the state used to support and the district used to support, but that was not enough.
00:32And now Khelo India is a structured organization, the support what it's coming through that to that, like a grassroots level.
00:42It's not only that for the athletes, the infrastructure is also developing, the competition schedules are there,
00:48and the athletes actually, they're going to a structured form. From there, they can go to NCOE, from there to national camp and from TOPS.
00:57So, it's a structured form. So, I'm extremely happy that the Khelo India actually, the way how it is supporting our youngsters.
01:06And at the same time, the importance of national games, we saw how important it was.
01:13See, national games is once in four years and now we don't know once in what year it's going to happen.
01:20But see, it's a game, it's like Asian Games, it's like Olympics.
01:26So, in India, what's happening is national games and that is actually a big competition.
01:33That is the only one where all the events can come together.
01:37And it's a kind of, what to call, celebration.
01:42And there, all the states, they want to perform better, they want to show their talents and they want to be on the top.
01:52So, it's a big war, like how Olympics happening. So, in India, it's a mini Olympics.
01:58So, ma'am, Karnataka hosting, do you have a role to play in that, given you are now part of that?
02:07Yeah, I'm a Senior Vice President of Athletic Federation of India.
02:10So, anywhere it happens, we are part of it.
02:15And actually, I'm in Karnataka, my academy is also in Karnataka.
02:19Yeah, I'm here for almost 24 years. So, it's my hometown now.
02:24So, I'm extremely happy some big competitions are happening in and around Karnataka.
02:29And see, in Karnataka, it's a historic place and the stadium was there for many years.
02:37And see, Open Nationals, for the department, this is something big because for the promotion and for increment.
02:46So, all the athletes actually having that kind of mentality.
02:50And this is almost the end of our season. But still, kids are performing better.

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