Rai looks for medals in Safrica and future in Jharkhand

Kolkata, Sep 09 (UNI) Bengal high jumper Hari Shankar Rai, who aims for a podium finish at the second Afro - Asian Games in South Africa this November, has moved over to Jharkhand facing complete apathy from the home state.

He becomes the first high-profile athlete to leave the state, after ace archer Dola Banerjee left Bengal for the same state two years ago.

Talking to UNI, Rai said, ''I decided to move over to Jharkhand because of the sops that come with it. I am an athlete and have to make my future within the few years I am in form. The authorities promise big money for the athletes who represent the state and win medals at the national and international level.'' ''Here there is nothing. It is sad to be leaving my state, but I have to think of my future also,'' he said.

Talking about his future prospects, he said,''I am only concentrating on international events.'' Rai came fourth in the Asian Championship at Jordan last month, fighting off stiff competition from a host of Chinese athletes. But Rai's jump of 2.18 m was far off from his personal best jump 2.25 m.

''I don't know what goes wrong with me at international meets. I have never been able to give my best at competitions, which matters the most. I feel bogged down and all goes haywire,'' Rai said.

Rai has the Senior Inter-State Championship in September and the Railway meet in October to brush up his 'big meet' phobia.

''I am not really concerned with the national meets. My target is to win a medal at the Afro - Asain Games. If I can give my best shot, that is jump something similar to my personal best, we can be rest assured that I will win a medal. Competition will be tough, specially current champion Robert from Lebanon is a very tough cookie,'' he said.

To get over his difficulties, Rai is also having regular sessions with the in-house psychologist at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) Center of Excellence at Salt Lake stadium. ''I am taking all possible help. I think and even the doctors here have suggested that my problem is all up there in the head. I hope this method will help me out. I am desperate to win a medal at the top level.'' Rai also pointed out that lack of exposure was a reason behind Indian athletes' poor perforhance at the international meets.

''We hardly participate in any high quality international meets.

And also the fact that we reach the venues only a few days before the competition works against us. We face huge problems with the weather and food. If we can reach the venue at least a week before the competition, I think the performance will be much better,'' he said.

UNI