Neeraj Chopra. File.
| Photo Credit: ANI
Olympic champion javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra on November 29 emphasised on making track and field athletics events more attractive and marketable for Indian followers.
The Tokyo Olympics gold medallist, with which he grew to become the primary Indian to face on the rostrum in track and field events on the sporting showpiece, shared his ideas on what ails this self-discipline of athletics within the nation.
“First of all, I feel that the international competitions where we compete such as the Diamond League, Continental Tours, and World Athletics Championships, should be broadcast in India.
“Currently, we solely get to look at the highlights although individuals need to watch the athletics, they keep up until 1-2 am within the night time, and anticipate the athlete to play however they face disappointment after not having the ability to watch,” Chopra said.
He was addressing a gathering at the RCB Innovation Lab’s Leaders Meet India.
Broadcasting athletics events on TV will enable more people to start watching, to understand, and increase the awareness about the competitions that the Indians compete in, Chopra said.
RCB Innovation Lab is an initiative that brings together people from the international sporting world to “create a platform the place influential dialogues and the alternate of modern concepts turn into centre stage”.
The Haryana-born athlete has had an exceptional year so far, bagging gold medals at the Asian Games and World Athletics Championships.
Chopra also spoke about how much India’s sporting ecosystem has developed in the past few years, stressing on the need to organise international competitions in India which could be a game-changer for athletics.
“If international locations like Kenya and Grenada can host worldwide athletics competitions on a world-class stage repeatedly, India additionally has nice functionality to do the identical.
“Whenever I meet people from the World Athletics organisation, they express their interest in hosting such a tournament in India. I am hopeful [that] if India can host such competitive events, more people can witness such championships in person and be inspired,” Chopra mentioned.
Speaking about his preparations as he will get again from a break, he mentioned, “My preparation will begin with removing the excess fat accumulated in the last few days.
“I had a number of milk, ghee, churma, and sweets in my hometown whereas I used to be there. I attempted my greatest to regulate it however could not. But I do know after I get began with my coaching I can get rolling in 2-3 weeks time.”
