Binsi is busy attending receptions arranged by her natives and teachers after returning from Malaysia. This 17-year-old plus-two commerce student of Maniyur Higher Secondary School brought cheers to her native place Maniyur, Vadakara, by winning a bronze medal, participating in a lesser known sport - race walk - in the first-ever Asian School Track and Field Championship held at Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia last month.
“The experience is amazing,”she smiles as she reflects on her days in Malaysia. “It was the first time that I went abroad. Though I was new to the place, and the language, I somehow managed as our team manager and other members were extremely supportive,” she says.
Binsi won bronze medal in the 5000 m race walk after finishing with a timing of 29 minutes. Her coach Haridas of Maniyur Higher Secondary School says she could have performed in a better way if fever had not laid her low at the time of the championship.
Climate change had adversely affected the girl during the camp and she was not in form while participating, he says. In the championship, India finished third overall, with eight gold, 10 silver and six bronze medals. Though I could not meet the expectations of my coach, friends and teachers, I am happy that I represented my country in the inaugural Asian School Track and Field championship attended by 183 participants from nine countries.
The 31 athletes from India, who participated in the championship, were given 15 days’ training at Pune. On the coaching they received at the camp in Pune, she says, “We were equipped with all the tactics to be good athletes on the track during the various sessions. We were given all the facilities, but the conditions were not favourable to me hence it adversely affected my performance.
In the coming days I will work to rectify my mistakes on track, she says, adding that she really adores athletes from Malaysia and China since they show utmost commitment to sports. The 13-time gold medallist in the School National Games says the state government should take the initiative to attract more students to sports by offering lucrative careers. Before signing off, she promises, “If I get the selection to represent the nation in the World School Championship slated to be held in Brazil, I am pretty sure that I will win a medal for the nation.”