Still running, for sport, for children

Sitting at a desk in front of a computer when one has the power to bring about change on the ground is not Ashwini Nachappa’s cup of tea. The Karnataka athlete, who has won many accolades at both national and international levels, is doing her bit to give back to society.

After retiring from the track, the Arjuna awardee started working at a bank, but it was not her calling. She wanted to do more. Ashwini quit the bank and worked for over 12 years with the Special Olympics programme, which provides sports training to mentally challenged adults and children.

She has also served on the board of Parikrma Humanity Foundation, which provides healthcare, nutrition and education, besides community service, to underprivileged children in Bengaluru.

In her quest to give back to sports, Ashwini started the Karumbiah Academy for Learning and Sports (KALS) in Coorg, her hometown. She is also part of Clean Sports India, an initiative to bring ex-players back into the fold to run sports programmes in the country, without the menace of drugs.

“Back home in Coorg, there were many talented kids, but the facilities for their growth was not available. So, for me to start in my hometown was the ideal situation. It has been several years and the satisfaction of seeing youngsters grow and gain from it is immense. It is my way of giving back to the sport, to society, which has given me so much during my days on the track.”

With doping being a rampant and growing problem in athletics and sports, in general, Ashwini advocates a strict no-tolerance towards offenders. For the 48-year-old, the problem can never be eradicated completely, but its spread must be arrested.

Talking about the future of athletics in the country and the state, Ashwini says, “More children are taking it up. All children must be educated, and they must have options to play different sports. The education system must change to get children to come out and play.

“Talent and hunger for sports is very high in rural India. It’s important to develop this sector. I believe athletics in India has a bright future.”

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