Mangaluru :

Middle distance runner Machettira Raju Poovamma will stick with her state Karnataka. Part of the Asian Games gold medal winning quartet, Poovamma originally from Kushalnagar in Kodagu district and since settled here is presently taking part in a training camp at Thiruvananthapuram. Poovamma at one time had contemplated shifting base to a state that treated her talent better and represent it in national athletics meet.

Nixing opinions expressed by her in this regard, Poovamma back home for a short break from training told reporters here that Karnataka government had assuaged her concerns and given positive assurances to meet her needs as an athlete. “Abhayachandra Jain Sir (minister for youth empowerment and sports) is taking keen interest in my progress and has assured to help meet professional needs that I have flagged with him in recent times,” she said.

Asserting that her immediate priorities were to excel in the Asian Track and Field meet and the World Championships coming up next year, Poovamma who has a personal best of 51.73 secs in the 400metre race, said, “I want to break the national record in the name of Manjith Kaur that stands at 51.05 secs.” The World Record for this event is 48.6 seconds, Poovamma said, adding the ultimate aim of any athlete is to make this record their own.

For Indian athletes to achieve this, it is imperative that athletes are exposed to training stints and exposure meets abroad, she said. Having a personal coach and trainer too helps in the build up, Poovamma said, adding these are some of the requests that she has placed before Jain. “It will also be helpful if we could get sponsors who can help us train in US,” she said, adding participation in meets abroad will help athletes here find their level.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Mangaluru /by Jaideep Shenoy, TNN / December 30th, 2014