Asmita Dey, a 19-year-old from Tripura preparing for the 2024 Olympics, seeks financial aid to participate in the Tashkent Grand Slam and boost her rankings.
The Judoka Asmita Dey, who won a bronze medal in the 48-kg category at the July 2022 Asian Judo Championship, is requesting financial support to participate in the Tashkent tournament, which begins on March 3, 2023. She needs to pay Rs 96519 as soon as possible to register.
She emphasized the importance of international rankings for Olympic qualification and expressed her desire to compete against top players from around the world at the tournament.
As per Asmita, players are required to cover their own expenses to participate in such tournaments. She needs to pay Rs 50,000 to the Judo Federation of India’s bank account for registration and Rs 46,519 to the booking agent’s account to participate in the tournament.
“Asmita is a very talented Judoka. She has been with me for the last three years. Now she is ready to compete with the best in the world,” Yashpal Solanki, her coach said.
He said, “We sent her abroad but the government has some limited resources. We sent her to Asian championship, to Spain for exposure for 18 days, and we want to send her again at Tashkent but right now she needs immediate financial support. She has to participate in two or three Grand Slams to start her campaign for OlympicsFor this reason, we have to send her to the Grand Slam which is going to be held in Tashkent.”
She might not get any medal, but it will help her to gain experience for the upcoming Junior world Championship and to prepare herself for elite events, the coach added.
Solanki said, “The Judo Federation of India does not have a budget; it totally depends on government aid, which they have already utilized and exhausted.”
“If god keeps her away from injuries she has the capabilities to participate in at least three Olympics,” he added.
“Other players managed to participate in the event on their own, but Asmita belongs from a poor family and needs immediate support from the state that is at least Rs. 1.5 lakh for the Tashkent Grand Slam,” the coach said.