After travelling with India’s star fencer CA Bhavani Devi for 14 years to all the national tournaments, CA Ramani says she’s excited about getting to watch her daughter represent India at the Tokyo Games live as well. The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has named Ramani in the four-member fencing contingent.
She has been accredited as P-TAP (Personal-Training Assist Programme) and it allows her to visit her daughter at the training hall and gives her access to the competition venue to witness the matches from the spectators’ gallery. With spectators not being allowed for the Games, this accreditation comes as a boon for her. “I got the ID card two days ago,” beams Ramani, adding, “I’ve accompanied Bhavani for every national tournament in the last 14 years and I’ve always spent money from my own purse for that. The people in the federation know me well, and they believe that Bhavani feels confident if I’m with her. I had gone with her even for the Olympic qualifying round in China in 2016. My presence in Tokyo will boost her confidence.”
Ramani is now prepping for her trip to Tokyo. “I am planning to leave by July 20 and I’ve got both the shots of vaccine already. Those coming from India will have to be in quarantine for three-four days. After that, I’ll shift to another hotel just outside the Olympics venue. I am going as the team manager, but will not have any kind of direct contact with the athletes,” she informs us, adding, “I think Bhavani will reach Tokyo by July 19 and start practising from the next day. Her first match is on July 26. I am hoping to see her from the spectators’ stand and cheer for her.”
The doting mom is also planning to perform a special pujai as part of her prayers for Bhavani’s success. “On July 23, which also happens to be a Pournami, I’ve told my sons to arrange for a special pujai at an Amman kovil and Sivan kovil here. I am sure she’ll come back with a medal. She’s going to the Olympics after working hard for about 15 years,” she says with conviction.
Ramani says she has also gained knowledge about the sport after travelling with Bhavani to all the tournaments. She says, “Though she’s the one who plays, I, too, have a fair knowledge of the game. I know what earns you points, what makes you lose points, how to attack, etc. I have been motivating her all these years. Whenever she lost matches, I’d ask her to not fret over it, and would tell her to analyse what went wrong and how her opponent played. It’s only been in the last four to five years that she has gained so much maturity in the game.”
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