Tokyo Olympics: IOA chief Narinder Batra backs Indian athletes to come out on top despite challenges
The Indian contingent is all set to participate in Olympic Games 2020, while its strength is likely to be 190. Nevertheless, the entire team is facing challenges even before arriving in Tokyo. However, the IOA chief feels that it won't stop the Indians from coming out on top.
FollowAs the date draws near for the 2020 Olympic Games, set to be held in Tokyo, the heartbeat of the Indian contingent gets faster, as it is looking to put on a top-notch show to make the nation proud by winning medals. However, things will not get easy anytime soon, as challenges creep up even before their departure to the Japanese capital.
Nevertheless, despite all the challenges, the Indian Olympic Association chief Narinder Batra has backed the Indian contingent to come out on top. However, he has also stated that the difficulties give IOA a heart attack every ten minutes, especially regarding the physical limitations imposed on the Indians by Japan, despite all of the athletes being vaccinated entirely.
"It does not give any clarity. What about those who have been training outside India and will come directly to Tokyo? There are quite a few things that need discussions. Like for team sports like hockey, three days before the event, the equipments and all are checked. But now what happens? There are various official meetings for team sports as well as individual ones. What happens to those? Uniforms, equipments, these things need to be cleared. Who will check these things? It is very complicated than becoming easier," he told ANI.
"Athletes coming from India, I can say, they are all in bio-bubbles and all being tested twice a week from June 1. They will also be tested for the last seven days and there also we have a problem. The agency they have appointed says they will take at least 30 hours to give report. How do we get the seventh-day report? Will they stop us at the airport in Tokyo? I won't have a report when I board the flight. It is an agency organised by organising committee; we can't go to anyone else. They have created so many confusions, but I am not giving up. We will ensure everyone gets through and participates," he added.
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The IOA was also surprised when the Board of Control for Cricket in India decided to lend it monetary support of ₹10 crore. Nonetheless, Batra was delighted on the BCCI joining hands with IOA to support the Tokyo-bound athletes.
"Anything that comes up additionally is welcome and helpful. The idea is to create focus on the Olympics. I don't know how much focus people have due to COVID-19 as it is bothering everyone. This exercise is to get people involved and get the entire population behind the contingent and make sure they cheer on the Indian team. I think cricketers talking about Olympics on social media is also part of the understanding. How much that happens will be seen," he continued.
Speaking on India's chances in Tokyo, Batra concluded by saying, "I am an Indian, whether I hold an international hockey position or if I am an IOC member and that will not change. Whichever position I hold, I hold it as an Indian. I am satisfied with the preparations and I will maintain that we will have medals in double-digit. Even though there are unfair quarantine rules coming in and it might affect us in one or two places, but I don't think it should affect. Our athletes are mentally very strong and focused. While these things do hamper you in the beginning, we are trying to work things out. India will still participate in the unfair conditions."
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