New Delhi: India’s artistic gymnasts will return empty-handed from Glasgow after a disappointing campaign that exposed shortcomings in preparation, fitness management and administration. Protistha Samanta’s seventh-place finish in Monday’s women’s vault final was the contingent’s best result. India’s biggest medal hope, Pranati Nayak, competed despite carrying a Grade II ankle ligament tear, according to coach Ashok Mishra. She was nevertheless cleared to compete despite not being fully fit and struggled throughout. Pranati finished 11th in the vault qualification. Eshitaa Rewale (15th) and Nishka Agarwal (19th) also failed to progress in the vault, while Samanta (27th) and Rewale (28th) missed out on the all-around final. India finished ninth in the women’s team event, while the men’s team fared no better, ending seventh. The disappointing returns should ring alarm bells for the authorities. National coach Manoj Rana said the campaign had suffered because of inadequate planning. “The absence of individualised performance planning and athlete-specific support limited the team’s ability to maximise its competitive potential,” he said, calling for long-term athlete management, better technical support and coordinated performance planning. “Elite gymnastics requires tailored preparation, including event-specific strategy, technical analysis, physical conditioning, recovery management and psychological support. A more structured approach could have enhanced performance and improved medal prospects,” he added. Questions also remain over athlete welfare. Despite persistent injury concerns, Pranati travelled without a physiotherapist. The Gymnastics Federation of India reportedly declined requests for one and did not propose a physio for the contingent. The federation’s prolonged internal feud, delayed elections and governance issues have further hurt the sport. With the Asian Games looming, India’s underwhelming display in Glasgow should serve as a wake-up call for the authorities.
