Anju blames system for dearth of long jumpers

International athlete and long jumper Anju Bobby George on Saturday agreed that there was dearth in long jumpers in women and blamed the present system which seldom encouraged competition at various levels.

“Unfortunately we believe only in training but not competing at higher levels. By competing constantly the athletes can assess their strengths and weaknesses and can take corrective measures to excel,” she added. Arjuna awardee Anju, the only Indian women athlete to win a medal (bronze) in the World Athletic Championship at Paris in 2003, said that events like the National Inter-District Junior Athletic meet was a right platform to identify future athletes.

“I totally agree that height plays a significant role in harnessing the skills of a long jumper. It helps cover more area which is paramount and the leap will be more effective,” she said.

She said the academy which is shortly being setting up will address all the issues of scientific and appropriate training. Incidentally Anju won a gold medal at the IAAF world athletics final in 2005, a performance she considers her best.

The Rajiv Khel Ratna awardee contested in the 2004 Athens and 2008 Beijing Olympic Games but failed to win medals.

Anju, sporting a red jerkin, was cynosure of all and sundry and her little daughter Andrea caught the attention of both dignitaries and general public.

The affable long jumper was sportive in allowing her fans to take selfies and also helped lensmen capture her in difference moods and frames.