Our aim to better Tokyo performance in Paris: Batra

Our Sports Reporter

GUWAHATI: The president of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) Narinder Dhruv Batra visited the city with a day-long programme on Friday. During this visit Batra, who is also the president of International Hockey Federation (FIH), spoke exclusively with The Sentinel. Here is the excerpt.

The Sentinel (TS): India made its best ever performance in the history of the Olympics in Tokyo…

Batra: Yes. Our athletes really performed well in Tokyo. I feel it is the result of good team work. Indian Olympic Association, Sports Ministry and different National Sports bodies are working unitedly for a long period and that paid off. I should also give credit to the athletes also. They were fully focused and tried to give more than 100 percent on their practice.

TS: Did IOA set any target for the Paris Olympics after good show in Tokyo?

Batra: We have won seven medals in Tokyo and thus set a new benchmark. In the next Olympics our aim would be to better this performance and we will do everything to ensure it.

TS: Have you noticed any change in the mind set of new generation's athletes?

Batra: Yes, the athletes of the new generation don't hesitate to inform us of their needs which are essential for their success. Yes, sports organizers of the country also equally trying their best to provide all kind of helps to their respective athletes.

TS: Neeraj Chopra surprised everybody with his javelin in Tokyo…

Batra: It was an excellent performance from the athlete. The boy was really working hard for the last couple of years and I feel it was the result of it. He proved that there is no alternative to hard work. The other medal winners, including Lovlina Bogohain, too displayed good show in Tokyo.

TS: Do you feel giving more attention to individual games can help India to do better in the Olympics?

Batra: Off-course. There are several disciplines like fencing, gymnastics, cycling…which provide a huge number of medals in the Olympics. If we can concentrate on these games I am optimistic that our result would be much better in the Olympics.

TS: Your comment on the performance of the Indian hockey team in Tokyo...

Batra: Both the teams played very well in the recently concluded Games. Our men's team had won a medal and the women team narrowly missed it. But I am very happy with the performance of our women team. They really fought hard and it is unfortunate that the team didn't reach to the podium.

TS: Northeast already termed as one of the sports hubs in the country. Do you have any specific plan for the region?

Batra: We know it. My advice to the local organizers is to chalk out detail plans for their athletes and then work on it. The region is full of talents and if we work with a plan I am sure we can produce more medal winners for international events including Olympics, World Championship and others. Our best wishes and help are always with the region.

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