Argha Bhattacharya
Bhubaneswar, Feb 23: He is like a father figure in Orissa Association for Rowing and Sculling, having guided the state to 14 National Games championships and has unearthed numerous talents who have made a mark in both the national and international circuits. But lack of basic facilities and government support has irked Dronacharya Jose Jacob to such an extent that he now wants to quit Orissa and go back to Kerala.
“The Orissa government has done nothing for rowing, they didn’t even congratulate me for the Dronacharya award I got, while officials from the Kerala government have sent me numerous messages and wishes,” a disappointed Jacob stated while talking to Orissa Post at the Jagatpur SAI Water Sports Centre.
“Orissa have always been in the reckoning when it comes to rowing but most of the talented rowers are lured by other states or organisations and they leave in search of financial stability. Here our rowers do not even get cash rewards for bringing home a medal, leave alone other perks,” the veteran coach lamented.
In the recently-concluded National Games in Kerala, Orissa’s rowing team finished behind hosts Kerala with two gold and two silver medals. Jacob thinks that the lack of modern equipment like boats, oars etc have been instrumental in the recent lack of success.
“SAI is doing its best to help our rowers but it is the duty of the state to pay attention to rowers who are winning medals in every National Games, both senior and junior,” stated Jacob.
The veteran coach also asserted that he can join with the rowers in Kerala whenever he wants to. “I just have to say ‘yes’ to them and the offer will come,” said Jacob. “I came here, worked hard and every year I hoped that I will get some form of recognition. But now I have even stopped saying anything. The state government only gave me the Biju Patnaik award and that too because I got the Dronacharya,” lamented the legendary coach.
According to Jacob if the state rowers get cash incentives, then he will be able to stop them from migrating elsewhere. “All I want is a little encouragement from the state in terms of finance to my wards as they also need something to meet their basic necessities,” he stated. “Sports is all about the mind… if you don’t have peace in the mind then you can’t achieve anything in sports, rowing included,” Jacob reminded.
