The world of sport is evolving and changing, not only a sport but every walk of life. Anju Bobby George, the only Indian to win a medal in the senior World Championships with a long jump bronze in the 2003 edition. She is the first Indian to be honored by the sport’s world body during its annual awards function and the second recipient of the award. Anju said her sport has changed for the better since her competitive days. She gave credit to her husband and current SAI coach Robert for supporting her in her endeavors.
Anju Bobby George dedicated here life to athletics
legendary Indian long jumper Anju Bobby George said on Thursday after she was adjudged the ‘Woman of the Year’ by World Athletics for grooming talent in the country and advocating gender equality.
“I live and breathe athletics and I aim to nurture Olympic medallists,”
She said, she can see a big difference in Indian athletics now as compared to my time, in the facilities provided by the government, in training and exposure trips, coach programs with her support staff.
“There is awareness about sport among ordinary people. People have started taking sport as a way of life. Neeraj Chopra’s historic Olympic gold was of course a booster but even before those athletics started reaching the school level through programs like Khelo India.
“Just like in other countries, athletics has started taking roots in schools, and Indian athletics is moving in the right direction.”
Asked about bringing gender equality in sports administration and in the field of play, she said:
“In every walk of life, not only in sports, women are in many responsible positions now. Things have changed now.
Anju started giving credit to her husband and current SAI coach Robert for supporting her in her endeavors:
“We have been making efforts for the girls to come out and take up athletics as a career option. It is happening across the country though it is slow in some pockets.”
On whether she aspires to hold the top post in the AFI or become a council member of World Athletics in the future. Anju said:
“No, I don’t have that ambition. I just want to groom talented athletes into Olympic medallists. That is my aim.”
