CUTTACK 03-Sep-2014 113
Conferred with both the Dronacharya and Biju Patnaik Awards on the National Sports Day, an inspired Odisha-based Kerala rowing coach Jose Jacob is now aiming to produce an Olympian from his adopted state.
``I did not get any major recognition despite my wards at Jagatpur SAI Watersports Centre delivering 244 medals, including 20 international ones within a span of 14 years. But the National and State awards have motivated me to work with added zeal and give back something big to rowing, Odisha and the country. My students have already bagged Asiad medal and I will try my best to produce a rowing Olympian from Odisha,`` said Jacob shortly after being felicitated by Odisha Association for Rowing and Sculling (OARS) at Barabati Stadium here today.
OARS founder president Brig K P Singh Deo and president Binod Dash expressed confidence that Jacob was capable of making his one or two among his pupils competent to participate in Olympic Games.
``Jacob helped Odisha duo Pratima Puhana and Pramila Prava Minz write rowing history for India by becoming the first women of the country to wins medal in Asian Games. We are optimistic of him delivering the first woman Olympic rower of the country,`` said Dash.
``Manjula Xess and Sanjukta Dung Dung have qualified to represent India in the upcoming Asian Games in Incheon. We are looking forward to one or both of the rowers qualifying for the next Olympic Games,`` added Dash.
OARS secretary Amarjyoti Singh Deo felicitated SAI coach Jacob and his wife Rosamma with memento at the function. Trainees of SAI Watersports Center, Jagatpur (Cuttack), were present on the occasion.
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PHOTO: OARS office-bearers felicitate coach Jose Jacob in Cuttack on Sept 3, 2014.
