“Breaking double digit barrier possible”: OGQ CEO Viren Rasquinha on India’s chances at Paris Olympics

At the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, India recorded seven podium finishes — one gold, two silver medals and 4 bronze medals. Viren Rasquinha, CEO, Olympic Gold Quest (OGQ), the previous captain of the Indian Hockey Team, believes that there’s each probability for the nation to succeed in the double-figure mark and win greater than 10 medals at the upcoming video games in Paris, which is able to happen from 26 July to 11 August.

Rasquinha now dons the hat of an administrator at OGQ, a not-for-profit organisation that goals to help and prepare Indian athletes to win the coveted gold medals at the Olympics and different worldwide sporting occasions. Currently 400 athletes — 300 Olympians and 100 Paralympians — are beneath the OGQ supervision. With India seeking to breach the double determine mark in Paris, among the gamers supported by the organisation might want to hearth for that dream to turn into a actuality.

Founded by ace Indian snooker participant Geet Sethi and Badminton legend Prakash Padukone — who can also be actress Deepika Padukone’s father — and included in 2001, OGQ roped within the hockey star in 2009.

“The mission of OGQ actually resonated with me. It gave me the platform to assist the subsequent technology of athletes do one thing which I couldn’t do, which is to win an Olympic medal,” the OGQ CEO mentioned throughout an unique interview with Connected to India’s Himanshu Verma.

“I additionally needed to make sure that the errors that have been finished throughout my taking part in profession, weren’t repeated for the subsequent technology of athletes,” he added. Rasquinha mentioned that the OGQ precept is to focus on excellence, a key ingredient for growing the nation’s medal tally at the largest sporting occasion.

The programme has to this point been profitable in its mission, taking part in a task in 9 of India’s 15 medals within the final three Olympic video games. It additionally works intently with the central authorities to coach athletes, after scouting them at a younger age. OGQ makes use of authorities infrastructure to coach the athletes, however offers them the tools and training, which is in any other case an costly affair.

One of the primary athlete to get a OGQ backing was Indian shooter Gagan Narang. In just some months, the athlete gained a bronze medal within the Men’s 10 m Air Rifle Event at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. Another OGQ success story is shuttler Lakshya Sen. The 22-year-old is the previous world junior no. 1. Currently ranked 13 by the Badminton World Federation (BWF), Sen rose to the sixth place in 2022.

One of India’s brightest chances to win a medal at the Paris Olympics, Sen was scouted by the organisation when he was barely 10. He was skilled at Padukone’s academy in Bangalore, after being moved from his hometown in Almora, Uttarakhand, as a result of OGQ noticed his potential and backed him all through. “He was barely as much as my waist then. Now he’s two inches taller than me,” Rasquinha shared.

The organisation can also be meticulous about their working. No athlete is picked up on whim. The former Indian worldwide defined that months of analysis goes into the preparation of record and solely after an intensive verify, the OGQ takes gamers beneath its wing.

“Shooting wants to interrupt its duck,” Rasquinha mentioned. India of late hasn’t been capable of register medal within the sport at the mega video games. With the qualification of over a dozen Indian shooters at the Paris Games, the nation will hope to see some podium finishes from the contingent.

Watch the total interview to know extra about Rasquihna and OGQ.