By K. ARUMUGAM

“I congratulate Vijayan Bala for giving practical shape to my thoughts that can guide and encourage millions of Indians to take up Sports!.” This is how legend Balbir Singh Sr summed up the latest book entitled ‘How India Won its Olympic Medals’ by Vijayan Bala, educationist turned sports buff.

Author Vijayan Bala

If you think that there cannot be a better endorsement to a writer’s work, wait for more. An array of Indian sporting icons such as shooting legend Abhinav Bindra, tennis great Ramanathan Krishnan, boxer Vijender Singh, badminton ace Saina Nehwal and another hockey icon Gurbux Singh are full of praise for the book.

The 135-page, sleekly produced chronicle published by Gurgaon based Zorba Books, has just hit the stands and is modestly priced at Rs.199.

In a painstaking effort, the author, popular in contemporary sports circles as commentator and sportswriter, relates chronologically the story of each and every Olympic medal that India won starting from Norman Pritchard at Paris 1900 to Rio de Janeiro 2016. The carefully collected and well presented information is precise, wholesome and impeccable.

The highlight of the book comprising 18 chapters, of course, are interviews of as many as 25 sporting icons. From Balbir Singh Sr., to Sakshi Malik and PV Sindhu. The chronicles and interviews make the book eminently readable.

For instance, Mohinder Lal, who scored the winning goal in the 1964 Olympic final, says that India need a foreign coach to train our boys on mental toughness. This he had said after watching 1986 World Cup where India finished at the bottom!

Aesthetically designed Book Cover

And Mary Kom, the boxing legend, details how Dingo Singh, who won the 1998 Asian Games gold medal, inspired her to take up the sport. PV Sindhu, our badminton sensation, outlines how among others a Korean coach and strength trainer helped her win crucial championships / World Cup etc.

One can find nuggets like these in every interview.

The book not only commemorates the extraordinary saga of successful athletes but also connects the past to the present and deserves appreciation by any current sports follower and promoter.

Dr. Narinder Dhruv Batra, Indian Olympic Association president, mentions in his foreword that “the book could not have come at a better time than when Indian sports is looking to make a bigger impact on the world stage”.

The book is available on Amazon (Amazon.in: Buy How India Won Its Olympic Medals Book Online at Low Prices in India | How India Won Its Olympic Medals Reviews & Ratings).

The author may be contacted (09990570304) for autographed copies.

Basic Info.

SUBJECT:THE BOOK CONTAINS INTERVIEWS Of OUR INDIVIDUAL OLYMPIC MEDAL WINNERS IN DIFFERENT SPORTS WHEREIN WE ARE TOLD ABOUT THEIR STRUGGLES AND HOW THEY WON THEIR MEDALS. DESCRIPTION OF HOW WE WON OUR OLYMPIC HOCKEY MEDALS ALONG WITH INTERVIEWS AND PROFILES OF SOME OF OUR HOCKEY GREATS ALSO FEATURE IN THE BOOK. THESE PRIORITIZE THE JOURNEY AND HARD WORK PUT IN BY THE PLAYERS SO THAT READERS NOT ONLY GET TO KNOW ABOUT THEIR ACHIEVEMENTS BUT ALSO TAKES INSPIRATION FROM EACH ONE OF THEM.

WHAT THE STARS HAVE TO SAY

BALBIR SINGH SR.: Three-time Olympic hockey gold medallist and captain at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics – “I personally like the concept since it is so dear to the message that I always give to the younger generations: ‘Dream big, aim high, work hard, think positive — The room at the top is always vacant’. I strongly recommend the book to be read by younger generations. Who knows, learning from such stories might help them one day to make another mark on the world map not only in sports but in any field of their choice. I congratulate Vijayan Bala for giving practical shape to my thoughts that can guide and encourage millions of Indians to take up sports! .

GURBUX SINGH (hockey gold medallist in the 1964 Tokyo Olympics and joint-captain of the bronze medal winning team at the 1968 Mexico Olympics): “I have known Vijayan for many years and also done television commentary with him. Apart from being a reputed educationist, Vijayan follows sports very closely and has a deep understanding and knowledge of hockey and other sports. I am confident that his book on Indian Olympic medal winners will be enjoyed by youngsters and sports enthusiasts as it is both informative and interesting. I wish Vijayan and his book all the best.

RAMANATHAN KRISHNAN (tennis great): “I have met Vijayan and read his sports quiz book. He is thorough about his work and so I am confident that this book will be enjoyed by all sports enthusiasts. I wish Vijayan and his book all the best.”

VIJENDER SINGH (the first Indian boxer to win an Olympic medal): “I am very pleased that Shri Vijayan Bala has brought out a detailed book on Indian Olympic medal winners. I am confident that the book will be positively received by sports enthusiasts of all ages.”

SAINA NEHWAL (The first Indian badminton player to win an Olympic medal): “Nowadays the younger generation is very keen to follow their sporting idols. A good sports book like this one will provide them with browsing material to emulate their idols. I am confident that Mr Vijayan Bala’s book on Indian Olympic medal winners will more than serve this purpose as it is not only interesting and informative but also inspiring”.

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