Olympics gold is the next goal, says Asian Games 2018 silver medallist equestrian Fouaad Mirza

(This story was originally published in the Bangalore Mirror on 07/08/2018)
Bengaluru boy Fouaad Mirza, who returned with two silver medals at the Asian Games, credits EIRS for his success.
Fouaad Mirza, who has shot into fame by winning two silver medals in equestrian at the Asian Games, said his next goal is to strike gold at the 2020 Olympic Games.
Fouaad Mirza, who is back in the city on Thursday after a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, said: “ It is a tough task. But I believe we can give it a good shot. We just need to keep focus and hone our skills to match the required standards. We have two years to do that and with the top horses and the best coaches, we can make our presence felt against the best in business.”
Fouaad lauded the efforts of Embassy Group chief Jitu Virwani, who played a stellar role in gaining the passage for the Indian horsemen to compete in Jakarta after the Equestrian Federation Of India (EFI) decided not to send the team to Jakarta.
Fouaad said that Virwani, also the vice-president of EFI, told team members that they should continue with their training and assured them that all issues would be sorted out.
“He offered hope when the team was gutted by the EFI’s decision. We knew we had a big chance. The results we had achieved at home and in a couple of international meets before qualifying for the Games were on a par with the favourites, Japan. I was in good form training under Olympian Bettina Hoy in Germany and the three Army riders trained in France,” said Fouaad.
Immensely pleased with the effort of the Bengaluru boy from the Embassy International Riding School (EIRS), Jitu Virwani said that “he is happy to have spent a king’s ransom to procure the best pedigree horses to Army riders and Fouaad and for their training in Germany and France”.
“A medal at the Asian Games was my first goal and I was confident that the team had the required ability and skills to grab it. Never mind spending a fortune chasing my dream and I will continue to play my role. An Olympic goal is what I’m aiming for and I’m willing to go the distance with these boys," said Jitu.
The head honcho of the Embassy Group further said: “It is time the EFI took stock of the talent. The onus is on the federation to promote and support the sport and this victory hopefully will provide a new dimension to the sport.”
Jitu said EFI officials made a mistake only to be rectified later.
“There is no denying that it was a big mistake. But all I can tell you is that the boys were lucky to get back on the bus and the rest is history,” said Jitu
(This story was originally published in the Bangalore Mirror on 07/08/2018)