Exclusive/ Lack of support & Corruption: Dronacharya Awardee Slams Govt For Poor State of Bodybuilding in India

India has been producing world-class bodybuilders for the last couple of years but the structure and base of the Bodybuilding sport is not strong in India and it is being surrounded by controversies. Still, the stability of sport doesn't seem reliable with more than five federations, and up until now no Indian bodybuilder reached the IFBB Olympia stage. Being part of the Asian Games and Busan Games in the 20th century, what is the state of Bodybuilding in India? In a recent interview with Republic World, Dronacharya and Hall of Fame awardee Bhupender Dhawan reflected on some core issues of the downfall of Indian Bodybuilding.

Bhupender Dhawan addressed all the queries and made it known that hard work and mindset beat genetics. Also, he reflected on the politics and lack of administration undermining Indian Bodybuilding. He also paid heed to why bodybuilding has never been included in the Olympics .

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Dronacharya Awardee Bhupender Dhawan Opines On the Structure of Bodybuilding

Q. What is your opinion on the coaching pattern in sports, what it takes to be a good coach with credibility for the students?

The relationship between coach and student is an art of faith. There must be a feeling of deep faith and a compatible approach from both sides. If you believe that then there's no proof required and If you don't then nothing can satisfy you.

Q. Do you feel Mukesh Ghalot will continue to perform at the highest level even after the age of 53?

Homosapiens arrive on earth raw and everyone has different genetics that are gifted from their parents. Still, if one is supposed to excel in the field of sports then there is only one factor that lies and that is the never-say-die attitude towards their accomplishment. Your commitment and perseverance decide your rate of success. The amount of work you put in and the hours you spend in taking the best out of yourself are the reasons that make you unbeatable and Mukesh Ghalot possesses these qualities and still at 53 he keeps moving.

Q. As a Dronacharya and Hall of Fame awardee, how and where do you see yourself today, Where do you stand today as per your opinion?

Ever since I started from scratch up until now I am still learning. Relation between student and coach is a very thin line. If any one of them cross checks the other that means the result can not be expected. A student-coach relationship is way more superior to other relationships. A coach is supposed to have empathy for his student, if he is emotionally connected with the student then the journey of attaining a goal will be much easier.

Q. Why Bodybuilding has never been included in the Olympics ?

In 1951, The sport was taken into the Asian Games and further In 2002, it was the part of Busan Games but the dirty federation's politics and poor administration are the core reasons for not putting Bodybuilding on top. Even the athletes who compete they do not get support from the government in Asian countries and the lack of government support and the corruption inside the federation are the main reasons that it has not been recongised by the IOC.

Q. Why there are so many federations in Indian Bodybuilding?

The dictatorship of federations and lack of support from the administrators are the only reasons that so many federations are formed and the structure of Bodybuilding sport is divided and weakened over time in India.

Q. Do you think that in the coming five years we will get to see an Indian athlete on the Olympia stage?

Until the work structure of the Bodybuilding administration is rectified in terms of governmental support and federation role, it's hard to say.