Shillong, Mar 27: Five gymnasts of the Meghalaya Gymnastics Association participated in the Sub Junior Artistic Gymnastics National Championship 2023-24 at Prayagraj (Allahabad), Uttar Pradesh, recently.
The 20th to 22nd March event was hosted by Khelgaon Public School under the aegis of the Gymnastics Federation of India. Over 700 gymnasts from 25 states competed for top honours.
The five Meghalaya gymnasts were Wansaphi Bernadette Malngiang (Loreto Convent), Wansuk Susngi (Government Girls Higher Secondary School), Sa-i-bakor Tariang (Synod Higher Secondary School), Rafellia Malngiang (St Joseph’s English School) and Athilia Susngi (Government Girls Higher Secondary School). The coach was Idalin Malngiang.
“Our young gymnasts braved all odds with their grit and tenacity by competing on the floor exercises, balanceing beam, uneven bars and vaulting table,” MGA General Secretary Lucy Mary Malngiang, who was the team manager, said today.
“This championship gave the young gymnasts great exposure and was a learning experience to perfect the elements, enhance their skills and talent,” she added.
The MGA has been trying to support budding gymnasts as best it can over the last few years, even persisting through the Covid-19 pandemic. However, it doesn’t have an indoor space of its own and has had to rely on coaches from outside Meghalaya, which can be expensive.
The association has thus requested the state government to provide a dedicated gymnastics hall and a qualified coach to promote the sport in Meghalaya and “enable our young gymnasts to shine in the national and international arenas.”
(Meghalaya Gymnastics Association photo)
