‘I was in the wrong era’: Ex-athlete Anju Bobby George praises PM Modi for ‘changing’ sports in India

Former athlete Anju Bobby George on Monday praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for reworking sports activities within the nation. “As a sports activities particular person, I’ve been right here for 25 years. What I’m seeing then and now – lots of modifications,” she mentioned whereas talking at a Christmas occasion at Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s official residence.

George talked about the transformation of sports activities over her lengthy sports activities profession. She recalled the tepid response in her instances and the way the nation and the management have fun immediately’s athletes’ accomplishments.

“Once I received India’s first international medal 20 years again, even my division was not prepared to provide promotion. However after Neeraj (Chopra) received a medal, I’m seeing the modifications. The best way we’re celebrating. How you’re celebrating, and the way India celebrated – I envy them. I used to be within the unsuitable period,” she mentioned.

George, who received the bronze medal within the lengthy soar on the 2003 World Championships in Athletics in Paris, acknowledged that by means of ‘Khelo India’ and ‘Match India’, sports activities had been being talked about and Indian athletes had been doing nice within the worldwide area. She credited Prime Minister Modi’s management for the transformation.

The previous ace athlete additionally touched upon how girls’s empowerment was changing into a actuality. “Each Indian lady is able to dream they usually know that their goals will come true in the future,” she mentioned whereas expressing happiness for India’s proposal for internet hosting the 2036 Olympics.

Earlier immediately, the Prime Minister interacted with the Christian neighborhood on the event of Christmas. George was among the many distinguished individuals who attended the occasion. She praised the Prime Minister’s zeal for selling sports activities and mentioned: “I feel within the close to future, we might be on the high.”

George bagged a gold medal on the 2003 Afro-Asian Video games. She achieved her private better of 6.83 m on the 2004 Olympic Video games in Athens which introduced her the fifth place. She was awarded the Arjuna Award in 2002, Khel Ratna in 2003 and Padma Shri, the fourth-highest civilian award, in 2004.