Olympic Gold Quest, the not for profit organisation founded by sports legends Geet Sethi and Prakash Padukone, announced on Wednesday that it will support the badminton doubles pair of Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa in the run up to next year’s Rio Olympics.

Badminton legend Prakash Padukone hoped that OGQ’s sports science would make a difference to Jwala and Ashwini’s fitness levels.

“Jwala and Ashwini are undoubtedly the number one women’s doubles pair in India and they are consistently among the top 20 in the world. I feel that OGQ’s efficient and timely support will help them immensely.

“I also believe that OGQ’s sports science team will make a difference to their fitness levels. The emotional support that OGQ provides the athletes will help Jwala and Ashwini completely focus on their training,” said Padukone.

Jwala said that OGQ’s support has come just at the right time with Olympics only nine months away.

“With less than nine months left for the Rio 2016 Olympics, I think OGQ support for Ashwini and myself has come at the right time. Our dream is to win a medal for India at the Olympics and OGQ support is a massive boost to us. I can already see an environment of excellence and positivity within OGQ. I wish to only focus on our Olympic preparations from now on,” said Jwala.

Ashwini added: “I am so happy that Jwala and me are a part of the OGQ family now. We have seen the way OGQ has been supporting other top badminton players over the years.

“We have already started working with OGQ a month back and the professional approach of the team, the warmth and the personal rapport is clearly evident. It is a huge relief to get this kind of support.”

Founded with a mission to help Indian athletes win Olympic gold medals, OGQ supports the training of 75 athletes in eight individual sports.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Sport> Other Sports / PTI / New Delhi – November 04th, 2015