'Give me food, facilities, I will give medals'

Tue, Nov 3 05:59 AM

She is the fastest Indian woman in the just concluded Delhi half marathon and is hopeful that if given good support, she can bring laurels for India in international meets.

In a frank chat with The Indian Express after arriving at hometown Deoria, promising Sukanya Mall confided that though she is very happy to have emerged fastest among the Indian women athletes and 22nd overall, but she will get full satisfaction only when she claims a medal for her country in the international arena.

"I emerged second amongst Indian women and 6th over all in the Chennai Half Marathon organised on September 27 this year while I was winner in the Indira Marathon held at Allahabad last year. I participated in the Delhi half-marathon last year too and was fourth among Indian women then, so I am elated to have improved upon my performance. But the thing is that I want to do something big for my country. If in the absence of adequate facilities, I can shine among my Indian counterparts, then with good food and facilities, I can do well among athletes from different parts of the world," the 22-year-old makes a point.

Talking about her family's financial status the talented athlete explains, "My father Mukhtar Mall is a cashier in a bank while my mother is a house wife. We are four sisters and one brother. There are times when I cannot buy good running shoes, a pair costing around Rs 10,000, from my fathers income. Besides, long distance athletes often have to confront with injury problems. I spend around Rs 7,000 a year on injury related problems like a knee injury I had a few months ago. In the absence of sponsors, I spend the prize money which I get by winning in important tournaments on all this."

Sukanya is full of praise for her coach Umesh Singh. " Being a good marathon runner himself, Umesh Sir has contributed immensely in grooming my talent in the sport. There is lack of facilities in sports at Deoria. It is just a small ground at the Ravindra Kishore Shahi Stadium here where I practice for four to five hours daily. So had it not been the sincere efforts of my coach and my dedication, I would not have been able to do so well in big events."

Sukanya said she was overwhelmed by the kind of welcome she was accorded at Deoria after returning from Delhi on Monday. "The District Athletics Association members led by its general secretary Shivanand Nayak and athletes welcomed me with garlands and dhols on my arrival at the railway station. I was awarded Rs 11,000 by the Khel Kood Protsahan Samiti. A huge felicitation function awaited at Rajkiye Inter College. I was also asked to inaugurate a 1,500 m race as an honour for my achievement."

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