Berhampur Losing Grip on Weightlifting Glory
Famed as the cradle of weightlifting, Berhampur is finding it too much of a burden to shoulder now. This southern Odisha city has produced several national and international weightlifters, including two Arjuna awardees.But the present is a different picture. Ever since Katulu Ravi Kumar grabbed the gold medal in the 2010 Commonwealth Games, the city has seen a dearth of budding lifters with potential to carry the legacy forward.
“It’s becausethe state government does not supportyoungweightlifters in terms of infrastructure, proper coaching and diet,” complains Ramesh Chandra Padhy, joint secretary of Odisha Weightlifting Association. “Moreover, the government is yet to take up any measure at the professional level to promote weightlifting in Berhampur,” adds Ramesh, who has been a national category 1 referee since 2003.
He claims that the state government had announced the establishment of a weightlifting academy of international standard in Berhampur soon after Ravi Kumar’s gold-winning feat. “The academy was meant to boost the infrastructure for the sport, but it is yet to open,” he adds.
In 2011, Ravi Kumar became the seventh Odia and the second person from Berhampur to be bestowed with the prestigious Arjuna award. Bijay Kumar Satpathy, another weightlifter from the city, was conferred the same honour way back in 1983.
And the credit for both goes to Veer Hanuman Circus and Physical Institute (VHCPI), popularly known as Veer Hanuman Club, in Berhampur. Established in 1940, the institute has been training young talents in this field with many of its protégés going on to achieve international success,including Bijay Kumar, who won the silver medal in the 1982 Commonwealth Games, and Berhampur’s golden boy Ravi Kumar.
VHCPI has also been the alma mater to other reputed names in Indian weightlifting like Chandra Sekhar Sahu, Ranu Mohanty, Tikina Gopal, Tukuni Badamundi, Damini Kumari Sahu, Padmini Padhi and Puja Sabat.
“We nourished and trained Damini, Padmini and Puja from a tender age when they were studying at Government Telugu Girls High School here. We also trained Minati Das when she was a student of Class VII. Minati won laurels for Odisha when she clinched the gold medal in the Youth and Junior Commonwealth Weightlifting Championship in the 44-kg category in Cape Town, South Africa,in 2011,”says Ramesh.
“Four years ago, we had tried to initiate a skill development programme in weightlifting for boys and girls at the school level. But nobody, including the district education officer (DEO), head masters and physical education teachers (PET) of various schools, responded to us even though we were willing to train the students for free,” rues Ramesh.
This is not the first time that VHCPI had to face rejection. “The authorities of Government Telugu Girls High School did not provide us with minimum infrastructure and a room to train their students, Damini, Padmini and Puja.We coached them at VHCPI during their leisure hours and all three went on to bring laurels for the state,” says the weightlifting official.
At present, 40 students from different schools are being trained at VHCPI in three batches from 4 pm to 8 pm. “But we have our limitations and financial constraints. We can’t provide them modern gym with sophisticated instruments and proper nutritious diet, which is most essential. Earlier, the state government used to provide Rs 25,000 per annum to our institute as non-recurring grant. But it has been discontinued for the last 10 years,” says Ramesh.
Old timers say that Berhampur once boasted of 14 clubs that imparted training to budding weightlifters. But the number has now plummeted to three — VHCPI, Shankar Physical Club and Balunkeswar Club —due to lack of government patronisation,
According to VHCPI alumnus Ravi Kumar, there were around 150 active weightlifters who took training in various clubs in Berhampur. “Our club itself has produced several top lifters, including 15 internationals starting from Arjuna awardee BijaySatapathy,” he adds.
“To promote professional weightlifting, the state needs to appoint good coaches and set up multi-gyms in every district. Plus, refresher courses for the coaches, physiotherapists, holding anti-doping seminars, nutritious diet for students and proper infrastructure in schools are most necessary,” says Ramesh.
The veteran coach further alleges that the site selected for the proposed weightlifting academy at Gopalpur was unsuitable. “The site is located near the bus stand, which is always crowded and polluted. There are suitable sites at Tamana and Kanisi. The state government must form a core committee consisting of veteran weightlifters for site selection before approving the location for the weightlifting academy,” he says.