Inspired by Dipa Karmakar, Asmita Pal Chases Olympic Dream

Olympian Dipa Karmakar put Indian gymnastics on the international map with her stunning performance at Rio. And there are many who want to be just like her, especially in her hometown Agartala.

"I feel good that it started from here and went all the way up to the Olympics. There were no facilities then and there aren't enough now. Inspite of that I reached the Olympics and that's a big thing. So I want to thank my first coach Soma Nandi and current coach BS Nandi. There will be more Olympians in the future from here," the 21-year-old told NDTV.

Following in Dipa's footsteps is 15-year-old Asmita Pal. She too wants to wants to compete in the Olympics, just like her icon. Having won 15 gold medals in various state and national competitions, that day may not be far away. But given the challenging circumstances there are in pursuing gymnastics, the road to Olympics could be more difficult than it usually is.

Coming from a family with very limited means, just getting to the practice venue everyday is a challenge for Asmita. Her father, a daily wage earner, makes less than Rs.5,000 a month and her mother works as a nanny to help him make ends meet. Asmita is aware of that.

"My parents work very hard for me. Thy are forced to drop work and take me for practice. Often we have to walk and that takes a long time. My dream is to be like Dipa Didi," she told NDTV.

Her father Arun Chandra Pal added: "If the coach has said Asmita you come here, I have woken up at 04:00 AM and taken her there. If he has asked her to come to Badharghat, I have woken up at 03:00 AM and walked with her there. I can't even ride a bicycle so I have walked to the practice venue."

Asmita's diet and equipment are insufficient to make it big at the international level but her grit and determination exists in abundance, just like Dipa. But her coach says, she still needs to be supported to make sure she realises her true potential.

"We have to try and give her a good diet but it's not possible all the time. I listen to what the coach says. We have not stopped her practice for even one day, even if it's raining heavily," her mother Shilpi told NDTV.

Practicing under the keen eye of Bisweshwar Nandi, who also coaches Dipa, Asmita is promising. But without infrastructural support, her talent alone won't be enough to take her far.

The Vivekananda Byamghar in Agartala is in national focus and is now considered a breeding ground for champion gymnasts. It was here that Dipa's talent was discovered and it is here that Asmita's talent is being nurtured. All that's needed is a little help.

"You can't do gymnastics on an empty stomach. You can't play sports on an empty stomach. You need infrastructure. If the facilities are available with the coach then it's not difficult to nurture talent," Nandi told NDTV.

Nandi hopes with Dipa making Indian gymnastics a talking point, young talent like Asmita will get some support. And the challenge for them will be slightly easier than what Dipa had to do to bring attention to the sport. He also hopes, along with Dipa, Asmita will also win an Olympic medal some day.