Schoolgirls find new love in gymnastics

Gurgaon: Eight-year-old Dhanak Parmar does a cartwheel with an ease that could put any circus performer to shame. Her graceful moves belie her age. Parmar started training a year ago and hopes to become an international star.
Gymnastics is fast catching up as a favourite among schoolchildren, the impetus coming in the form of Dipa Karmakar becoming the first Indian woman to qualify for the Olympics (in Rio, this year).Lavanya Jain, a Class X student, is a national-level gymnast and was ranked ninth in both under-17 age group and all-round ninth, in open rhythmic gymnastics, held at the 2016 National School Gymnastics Championship in Hyderabad in March. Talking about her love for the sport, Jain said, "I just love the way I feel when I am doing gymnastics. I want to represent my country in rhythmic gymnastics at Olympics some day." Her immediate goal is the 2018 Commonwealth Games, to be held in Gold Coast City, Australia.
Jain practises with her friend Meher Ahuja, a Class VIII student. Both began training three years ago. Ahuja also has her eyes set on the 2018 CWG. "I first saw gymnastics live at the 2010 Delhi CWG, and was inspired. That's when my journey started. In 2013, I started training formally," said Ahuja.
Gymnastics coaches have also spotted a change in the attitude of youngsters, and admit the number of students training now have grown manifold. "We have 100 students training at Tau Devi Lal Stadium, from both private and government schools. Five years ago, this was not more than 15," said Suraj Pal Ammu, of the Haryana Gymnastics Association.
Vitika Banerjee, who runs a gymnastics training centre in the city, said, "The numbers have obviously grown and gymnastics is becoming the preferred fitness sport among students," said Banerjee.
Schools have also seen a rise in the number of students taking up gymnastics as a discipline. "Interest in gymnastics as a sport is growing. In our school, most children in the age group of 7-11 years show a special inclination towards the sport," said Gunit Ohri, principal, Ridge Valley School.
However, facilities are failing these young gymnasts, as most national training centres are badly maintained. Facilities in Gurgaon were quite abysmal, till the national championship, held in the city, brought about some changes in February, with equipment which was in demand for a long time, finally arranged for. The city though still does not have a indoor stadium for practice. According to officials, it will take at least another year to come up.
Budding gymnasts complain the pre-nationals camp in April 2016 in Delhi, was their worst experience ever. "At the camp for the national open gymnastics competition, we had to change under blankets as the changing rooms were unhygienic," said Jain. Even the practice floor was dirty, and the gymnastics mats had holes, others added.