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Kalmadi finds Indian performance at Asiad 'fantastic'

Harpal Singh Bedi in Bangkok

Indian Olympic Association president Suresh Kalmadi today hailed the performance of his country's team at the 13th Asian Games, describing it as "fantastic".

He lavishly praised boxer N G Dingko Singh for winning the gold in the bantamweight category, India's first gold medal in Asian Games boxing in 16 years. "He is an outstanding boxer and India is proud of him," he said.

All the Indian athletes in Bangkok gave of their best irrespective of the results, the effusive Kalmadi said.

The IOA chief stoutly defended the decision to take part in volleyball and football. "Unless you give these sports decent exposure, don't expect medals," he said.

"Though we lost in men's football, we were not disgraced. The footballers played with a lot of determination and same was the case with the spikers."

The IOA wants to popularise 'neglected' sports, the member of Parliament said, adding, "That is why we brought the football and volleyball teams here."

Kalmadi said, "In the track and field events, our athletes have done much better than expected. Jyotirmoyee Sikdar has done the country proud."

Kalmadi said he alone was responsible for bringing such a huge contingent to the Games. "You don't win medals unless you participate," he added.

He said all the players had been selected on merit. The women's golf team had finished third in the Queen Sirikit Cup in Bangkok early this year, the men golfers had performed well abroad, and same was the case with several other disciplines.

"It is not necessary that every athlete should win a medal. This never happens. Look at Thailand, Japan and Korea, they have also suffered reverses," he said.

According to him, this year has been exceptionally good for Indian sports. "In the Commonwealth Games we did very well and in the Asian Games we are doing well."

He was full of praise for veteran P T Usha, saying, "She is one of the greatest athletes India has ever produced. Just because she has not won any medal here does not mean that we should crucify her. She has served India to the best of her ability. Defeats here do not mean we should start criticising her. All sportspersons have ups and downs in their careers."

Kalmadi said the IOA would undertake a comprehensive review of the performance of the Indian contingent in the Asian Games. "It is very easy to criticise, but while blaming the sportspersons one should remember the situation and circumstances in which he or she has trained and performed. Even our swimming team did well though they did not win a medal," he said.

"Overall I am very happy the way things have gone. Yesterday I think was a golden day for India as we bagged three golds," he added.

UNI