New Delhi, India’s six-time Winter Olympian Shiva Keshavan believes the nation can excel in winter sports activities with progressive methods and correct infrastructure.
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The youngest-ever Olympian in luge, debuting on the age of 16 on the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics, Keshavan feels athletes from summer season sports activities may transition to winter disciplines, akin to subject hockey gamers to ice hockey and curler skaters to ice skating.
“Sports today are very different from a century ago, with various ways to train and develop specific muscle groups,” the 43-year-old instructed PTI, on the jersey and Trophy unveiling of the upcoming Royal Enfield Ice Hockey League.
“Many summer sports gaining popularity in India, like athletics and hockey, offer opportunities for crossover.
“For example, a subject hockey participant can swap to ice hockey, a curler skater to ice skating, and a long-distance runner to cross-country snowboarding.
“With smart strategies, we can shorten the path to winning medals. Athletes worldwide have transitioned from non-winter sports and succeeded at the Winter Olympics, and India can do the same,” advised Kesavan, who was additionally the Indian flag-bearer at three Winter Olympics.
Winner of a number of gold medals on the Asian Luge Championships, Keshavan mentioned he selected luge as he was born and introduced up within the mountainous terrain of Himachal Pradesh.
“Taking a sledge and going down a slope is a fancy of every child and I kept on pursuing that passion, I am lucky that I was able to live this life.”
He additional mentioned winter sports activities in India are progressing properly with initiatives just like the Khelo India Winter Video games, which intention to create world-class amenities and add new sports activities.
“Both the quality and quantity of events are improving. For the first time, the government will send a 100-member team to the Asian Winter Games in February.
“January 2025 will even see the second version of the Royal Enfield Ice Hockey League. With the distinctive sources of the Himalayas, there’s immense potential to develop winter sports activities and supply profession alternatives for native communities,” he signed off.