Tarundeep: Another 'Limbaram' in the making

Very few people in the country are aware about the existence of Nimachi, a sleepy cluster of a few human dwellings on the foothills of the Himalayas. But this small village of Sikkim has already occupied a place in India's sporting history. Yes, Indian football's treasured find Baichung Bhutia hails from Nimachi.

But it seems that Nimachi is not satisfied by producing only one champion. The tiny village has no dearth of sportspersons and one among them is Tarundeep Rai who has already heralded his arrival on the national archery scene by winning a silver in the individual championships at the Vijaywada Nationals recently.

Such is the talent of this 14-year-old lad from Sikkim that many experts have already predicted that 'another Limbaram' is in the making.

Tarundeep was spotted by national archery panel coach Pramod Chandurkar at the age of 12 when the latter went to Sikkim on behalf of Sports Authority of India (SAI) to spot young talents in archery. There in a traditional archery competition Promad saw Tarundeep for the first time and immediately decided to take the talented boy under his wings.

But Tarun's parents, like most of the possessive guardians, initially showed their reluctance to allow their son to go out of the village. Citing Tarun's tender age as the reason, they first declined Promad's proposal.But the national archery coach was so keen about Tarun that he arranged a trip of his parents to Shillong where the young talent was supposed to stay during his training. Seeing the arrangements and the facilities at the 58 Gorkha Training Centre, they finally realised that their son's future would be in safe hands and he would be nurtured with care. That day Pramod Chandurkar had a great relief as he could save one champion from being wasted in want of proper facilities and training.

And Tarundeep took no time to repay the loans of his mentor. Fielded in the junior national archery championships at Chandigarh, Tarundeep struck gold in the very first competition he figured. And again just to prove his first gold was no flash in the pan, he dominated the sub-junior competition held at Ajmer early this year.

Apart from natural talent, Tarundeep's another source of strength is his dedication and discipline. How focussed he is about becoming a champion can be judged by the story narrated by Pramod Chandurkar.In one cold evening in Shillong Pramod found Tarundeep practising behind the barracks in fast fading light. When asked why he wasn't indoors in such a chill weather, Tarun replied that he was not satisfied with his day's regular training. For one so young, Tarundeep is quite meticulous in almost everything he does. For two years now, he is maintaining diaries, containing every minute details all that he has done. Plans for the next day are always drawn up the evening before. So high is his commitment that he never speaks during competition, considering it a waste of energy.

With coach Pramod Chandurkar, Tarundeep shares a very healthy relation. On his part Mr. Chandurkar always makes it a point not to impose anything on his teen age student and provides enough room to him to plan and implement his train regimen. On the other hand, Tarun is keen not to let down his mentor under any circumstances and always takes all advices seriously.

Although most of his equipments were provided by the Army, Tarundeep gratefully acknowledges that the bow, his main weapon, was assembled by his coach.Pramod Chandurkar is confident that Tarun will certainly become a champion archer one day, while the young lad from Sikkim at this present moment just wants to do well. This dedication will certainly pay rich dividends one day.

All she is doing to get a racing cycle

It is really disheartening to learn that champion cyclist Rameshwori Devi will now have to spend the entire amount of her prize money received after her spectacular success at the recently concluded fifth National Games in Imphal, to purchase a state-of-art cycle. And she needs a modern cycle most to prepare herself for the next Asian Games.

Rameshwori was declared the best sportsperson of Manipur after her record-breaking performance in the National Games.She did her State proud by erasing the previous national record on her way to win the gold medal in the women's 1000 metres time trial. She clocked 1:20:81 minutes to better the record of 1:23:81 minutes set by Jasmine Arethua of Maharashtra in 1991. Rameshwori also won the gold in 3000 metres individual event as well as leading the Manipur team to gold in the 3000 metre team event. Besides along with O. Binakumari, she formed a 'deadly duo' and beat Kerala in the team events. Rameshwori and Binakumari were the livewires of Manipur cycling team.Rameshwori also won one gold and two silvers at the last nationals.

After all the impressive performances, it was quite natural for the State Government to declare Rameshwori as the best sportsperson. She was awarded Rs. two lakh for all her efforts.

But for Rameshwori, there is still a long way to go. Golds at the nationals are not the last post for this spirited Manipuri girl. She wants to become a cyclist of international repute.

The 17-year-old girl from now onwards has decided to concentrate for the forthcoming international meets like Asian Games and the Olympics.

So far, Rameshwori had suffered due to lack of proper facilities. There was no cycling track worth mentioning in Manipur. But with the coming up of the Khuman Lampak velodrome, the best in the country, Rameshwori is confident that her timings will improve once she starts practising in the velodrome on a regular basis.

But at present her main problem is her not being equipped with latest instruments and gears of international quality.That is why this prolific performer has decided to spend the entire amount of the prize money to get one state-of-the-art cycle. But the problem is that even by spending the entire amount, she will not be able to get one racing cycle of her choice as my world class cycle is too expensive.

But Rameshwori is hell-bent to get one, though at present she has little idea where from the extra fund will come.Lack of proper facilities and shortage of funds are the two major constraints for development of sports in the North-East region. Even after splendid performances both at the national and the international level, the North-Eastern sportspersons find it difficult to attract sponsors.

Take the case of Dingko Singh. The man who made the country proud by winning a boxing gold from the Asiad after 16 years did not get the same amount as prize money as was received by sprinter Joytirmoyee Sikdar or by the Asian Games gold medal winning hockey team.

If our sporting bodies are serious to make India known as a sporting nation, they must harness the talents available in the North-Eastern part of the country. They should ensure that the sportspersons of the region not only get proper facilities, but also sufficient financial help. At present their priority should be to get a world class cycle for Rameshwori, so she does not have to spend her prize money to bring laurels for the country from international meets.