The moment I have been waiting for: Dhyan Chand winner Jincy Philip

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Jincy Philip was on cloud nine after receiving the coveted Dhyan Chand award, nation's highest sporting honour, from the President Ram Nath Kovind at Vidhan Soudha in Bengaluru in a virtual meeting due to Covid-19 pandemic.
"This was the moment I have been waiting for after hanging up my spikes in 2004. This is very special and a much cherished award," Jincy told STOI over phone from Bengaluru after receiving the honour.
The death of veteran coach Purushottam Rai on Friday night set a pall of gloom over the event.

"I hope this honour will also lift the mood of Keralites during the pandemic on the eve of Thiruonam. I am thankful to all who support we me. I also appreciate my coaches, my family including my late younger sister and my in-laws too," said Jincy who began her career in athletics at famous CKM HSS, Koruthode which was managed by KP Thomas who too was decorated with Dronacharya award some five years back in a controversial move.
For the past two years, Jincy has been working as senior coach at SAI here on deputation from CRPF where she is a deputy commandant. Her husband P Ramachandran too was a champion athlete and a national record holder in men's 400m in 2002 and has grabbed a silver medal in men's 4x400m relay in the same Busan Asian Games. Ramachandran along with Lijo David Thottan and Manoj Lal were the main stay in men's relay during mid-1990s to 2004.

"Jincy winning Dhyan Chand (which is an honour for lifetime achievement) has given me a fillip too. I banished the thoughts of applying for Arjuna long time as I had won silver medal in relay which is considered as a team achievement but now that Jincy has got it I will try my luck next time," said Ramachandran who along with their three, including the son of her late sister, children witnessed the ceremony in Bengaluru.
Jincy received the certificate and most importantly the overcoat which is considered as the most sought prized possession for an athlete to win national sporting honours. The iconic Dhyan Chand statuette will be presented by Union sports minister Kirren Rijuju at a later date.
Jincy with family reached Bengaluru as a state guest on Thursday to attend the mandatory rehearsals. The Koruthode girl had won the silver medal in 1998 Bangkok Asian Games and represented India in 2000 Sydney Olympics and in 1999 Sevilla World Championship.
Jincy naturally did not bother to apply for Arjuna Award then as her statemates KM Beenmol, Rosakutty and Jyotirmoyee Sikdar were ruling the track then. Beena went on to win both Khel Ratna as well as Padma Shri while Rosa and Jyoti walked away with Arjunas.
Her next aim is train an athlete capable of winning an Olympic medal. "For that I need to continue as coach and also the support of both SAI and CRPF," Jincy signed off.