Olympians inspire budding athletes at Ballari institute

BALLARI: Tokyo Olympics-2020 medalists inspired young athletes at the Inspire Institute of Sports (IIS) at JSW Vijayangara in Ballari district on Saturday.
Neeraj Chopra, javelin thrower and a gold medallist, P R Sreejesh, goalkeeper of the Indian hockey team and a bronze medallist, Bhajarangi Punia, who won bronze in 65kg wrestling, and Ravi Kumar Dahiya, who won silver in 57kg wrestling, interacted with budding athletes at the IIS.The institute also honoured them on the occasion.
Neeraj said: “I’m sure sports in India will change for the better at all sporting events, including Olympics. When I went to the field in the final, I was scared initially. But I decided to give my best and it paid off. Nothing is greater than hard work. But, for the first time, I realised prayers too matter. When I was on the field for the final, the entire country, having glued to the TV, prayed for my success.”
Neeraj participated in the event along with his father Satish Kumar and mother Saroj Devi. He had tweeted that the event made him realise his “small dream of taking my parents on their first flight”.
Sreejesh advised sportspersons against relying on luck. “One should put in maximum efforts as it is the only key for success,” he added.
Punia and Ravi Kumar too interacted with the athletes who asked questions and got their doubts cleared.
Parth Jindal, founder-director of IIS, said the institute has sponsored many athletes who have made name at national and international level sporting events, including Olympics. “Neeraj Chopra is one of our sponsored athletes and it is is matter of pride for us. Corporate companies must come forward to sponsor sportspersons,” he said.
Sajjan Jindal, managing director of JSW Group, was present on the occasion.