I am very thrilled and honoured by the love and support of everyone. I am very grateful to OGQ who have been supporting me for the last six years. They were the first ones to recognize my potential and support me when I needed it the most. I won my first senior International tournament in Maldives in 2011 which was fully funded by them including my coach from the Gopichand academy. They have always been there for me through thick and thin. Every athlete who represents the country needs this kind of support. I hope to bring more laurels to the country in future.
As a sports lover, and as an Indian, I often found myself frustrated with India's sports establishment. I felt for our athletes who had to fight the system first and with the remaining energy fight their opponents. Why, I often wailed, couldn't we provide the same care, the same encouragement and the same facilities to our athletes too. I had reconciled to believing it wouldn't happen in my lifetime when, all of a sudden, a few good men started Olympic Gold Quest. In a few years, the work they have done is mindblowing. I find Olympic Gold Quest uplifting.
OGQ provides us all an opportunity to stop being disgusted with our country’s pathetic performance in sports at the global level, and instead do something about it. I have no doubt that with an methodical and energetic approach to creating champions, OGQ under its incredible leadership, will be a catalyst in India producing many world champions and making every Indian hold his or her head high when we lift those medals and hear our national anthem being played on a global stage.
I thank you for your support of Vikas. I can only hope that you understand how important your help is to the athletes lucky enough to be sponsored by you.
The OGQ is an idea Indian sport was waiting for, yet it could never happen because of manner in which our sport was run. The programme is supported by some of India’s finest sportsmen, due to both athletic achievement and as importantly, their individual integrity. It’s intentions are more than noble, its practices professional and clean.
When I joined Olympic Gold Quest in 2008 it was just before the Beijing Olympics and I wasn’t sure whether my quest for a gold medal would be fulfilled in China. It wasn’t and critics had pulled me down. But it was my family and Olympic Gold Quest that kept faith in me. With their unflinching support results were not too far… I shot the World record score of 600/600 in the World Cup Finals in Bangkok the same year and succeeded with two more Gold medals in 2009. The performances have raised the bar of expectations and am happy to fulfil the faith reposed on me… But a few more strides to go for that ‘giant leap’ onto the Olympic podium. Am sure with the constant support, appreciation and encouragement from OGQ I shall be able to achieve what will be a small step by an Indian, but a giant leap for my country men!
Supporting OGQ is a no-brainer for me. With Geet Sethi, Prakash Padukone, Leander Paes & Viren Rasquinha involved in this project can’t think of anything that will be missing. I would pick any athlete they picked because of the complete trust these names inspire. I wish OGQ the very best and look forward to being a TV partner for this initiative! ‘It takes 6 grams of gold to lift the worth of a nation’ is truly an inspirational motto for OGQ and conveys the sentiment of what this country feels about getting an Olympic medal.
I am very fortunate that I got the support of OGQ right when it was announced that women boxing was going to be included in the London Olympics. I don’t have to think twice before asking them for any support for my training and competition. They got me training under a wonderful coach Charles Atkinson and their medical team headed by Nikhil Latey was always there to support me. I am very happy that they have started a junior scholarship program and two boxers from my academy are also getting their support.
It is very important for athletes like us who are preparing for the Olympics to just focus on our training and competition. OGQ ensured that I never had to worry about anything else apart from improving my game. They are very professional and quick in their support and I know I can call them anytime for help. Their support was very crucial in helping me win medal at the London Olympics. Now I am preparing for Rio 2016 and I know they will do everything possible to power me to win a Gold medal.
The best thing about OGQ is that this organization consists of India’s top sports icons like Geet Sethi and Prakash Padukone. And now you have Viren Rasquinha as the CEO who himself has played hockey at the Athens Olympics and is a former captain. They all know what it takes to play sports at the highest level and what struggles an athlete has to undergo. This makes OGQ different from other organizations and this is the primary reason why I decided to join them.
An athlete toils day and night with a hope that someday he will bring glory to his nation. When an organization like OGQ backs him it gives him that extra boost that he can make it. He gets the confidence that he can be the best player in the world and that is what OGQ support did to me.