BHUBANESWAR 18-Apr-2012 160
Water level in Birupa, a tributary of the Mahanadi, flowing alongside Cuttack in Odisha, has come down to an alarming level. The longivity of the boats and oars, once provided to the trainees of the SAI Water Sports Centre at Jagatpur, near Cuttack, have expired long back. The hostel, which serves as the home of hundreds of rowers, including Asiad medallists, is threatening to collapse any day. Despite winning international medals, rowers of the Jagatpur Centre are not able to find better jobs other than police constables.
But amidst all these handicaps, rowers of the centre, especially the women are still chasing a dream _ Represent India in Olympic Games. This is the story of Sports Authority of India`s Watersports Centre at Jagatpur that came up under Special Area Games (SAG) scheme in the year 1993.
The SAI Centre, one of the three of its kind in the country, created history its trainees Pratima Puhana and Pramila Prava Minz became the first women rowers of India to win a medal in the Asian Games. The Odisha duo beat their Indonesian opponents to grab a bronze in the coxless pair event, clocking seven minutes and 47.50 seconds at the Guangzhou Asiad in China on November 19, 2010.
``It was a dream-come-true for us. We never thought that we would be there in the Asian Games and vying for a medal. I told Pramila to row with the best of her power. She responded beyond my imagination. That is how we won the medal,`` recalled Pratima, a local girls and the diamond of the centre. ``During the race, I was just giving my best effort as a rower. But my love and regards for rowing, my country, my state and my coach Jose sir helped me win the medal eventually,`` reminiesced Pramila, a tribal gir.
The Asiad medal was not a miracle that the Odisha rowers achieved for the country. Prior to that, rowers of the centre bagged 12 medals in different continental competitions. Adage may say that there is always a woman behind the success of a man. But in case of SAI`s Jagatpur Watersports Centre, it has been a man _ coach Jose Jacob _ who has wonders for the women to achieve all these success. Big man with big moustache, Jacob may resemble as a wrestling or a weightlifting coach. But contrary to his physical appearance, he is soft, helpful and dedicated. The achievements of his deciples over the years prove his worth as a coach.
The centre delivered five national medals within the first seven years of its inception. But after Jacob took charge in 2000, the centre has been on song, producing a total of 223 medals including 14 international and 151 national in the past 12 years. The international medals included two gold, two silver and 10 bronze (464). As many as 11 rowers, including nine women from this centre turned international. Despite rendering yeomen service, Jacob still remains a contractual coach, drawing a salary of around Rs 16,000 per month, while regular coaches take home Rs 50,000 to Rs 60,000 without showing the desired results.
``Jose sir is not considered for any recognition in Odisha becasue he hails from Kerala. But Odisha and SAI shoud not forget that he has been the person behind all these success. He should be recommended for the Dronacharya or Dhyan Chand Award,`` says Pratima. Neglect to the coach is not the only problem afflicting the betterment of the Jagatpur Watersports Centre. No new boats has been provided to the centre during the past 19 years. Rowers are forced to repair the boats through fibre welding before resuming their daily training.
The temporary hostel, housing the trainees is in a dilapidated condition, leaking and stinking. It may cave in any day, ruining the lives of the trainees. Though a 100-beded new hostel building has been set up by SAI, it is lying unused because of a court case mooved by the local residants. A permanent jetty, a basic necessity is still lacking. In the absence of the jetty, rowers are forced to enter into mud before taking to their boats. Lack of proper job opportunity has forced the rowers to give up the sport.
``Despite winning international medals what our rowers have accepted jobs as police constables, finding no better placement. It is an insult when it comes to employment to an international sportsperson,`` laments one of the international rowers. Despite so may hazards, rowers of Jagatpur SAI Centre are still alive and kicking. ``Working under these unsuitable conditions we have restrained ourselves from making public of our future goals. But to be honest we are aiming to show our mettle in the Olympic Games one day. We are confident to achieve it if given the necessary support,`` said Pratima, baring her heart.
