This Arjuna awardee a role model for gymnasts

Amir Karim Tantray

Tribune News Service

Jammu, March 7

She is a role model for budding gymnasts and has been putting in her best efforts to give a lift to gymnastics in the state despite shortage of facilities.

Krupali Singh is the youngest woman Arjuna awardee in India. She was just 18 when her name featured in the Arjuna list in 1989. She was conferred the award on October 10, 1991, her birthday. A Gujarati, Krupali tied the knot with gymnastics coach SP Singh of Jammu on November 3, 1996.

She is a proud mother and excellent coach who never compromises with her duty as a parent and coach.

“I met SP Singh through gymnastics when we were participating in a gymnastics event. His coach and mine were friends. We became friends and this got converted into a relationship,” she said.

She wakes up early in the morning and reaches Maulana Azad Stadium, where her students wait for her. She spends a number of hours teaching them gymnastics.

In the evening, she spends time with her students. It does not matter whether it a Sunday or holiday as she is fully devoted to her work.

Many of her students have represented India at the World Gymnastics Championship, Commonwealth Games and other events.

Every year, Jammu and Kashmir gets medals in gymnastics in National Games. Most of the time, gymnasts top the list of medallists.

“More than 25 students have either represented the state or country in different events. We try our best, but the state lacks commitment towards sports. We have no infrastructure and everything has to be done within limits,” she added.

She developed interest in gymnastics at the age of three as her father Nagin Bhai Patel was running a gymnastics centre in Gujarat.

She used to accompany him to the centre. At the age of eight, she received her first national medal in 1979 and her long journey started. “I was the national champion for several years and my work was recognised by the Government of India, Gujarat and others. In 1991, when I got the Arjuna award, Gujarat presented Sardar Patel Award to me. I got 10 youngest Indian achievers award the same year,” she said.

The Jammu and Kashmir Government is yet to recognise her contribution towards the sports and confer any award on her.

On International Women’s Day, Krupali asks women to stand for themselves. “In this male-dominated society, women need to identify their place and stand up for their rights,” she said.