Ahmedabad:
It’s strictly no to junk food and use of mobile phone for Ahmedabad’s ninth class student Dhimahi Trivedi as she mentally and emotionally prepares for the 19th edition of the National Inter District Junior Athletics Meet (NIDJAM) starting Friday at Gujarat University Campus.
As Dhimahi toils on the playground, her mother Kalpana ensures her school going daughter aiming for something big in NIDJAM has a nourishing diet each day. “Sometimes there is temptation to have junk food but it is strictly no,” Dhimahi’s mother said. “I prepare good meals, including a banana shake each day for her.”
Away from the kitchen, Kalpana keeps a close track of her daughter’s athletics activities on the playground. “I come to drop her regularly to the ground and then hang around for nearly two hours until the session is over,” Kalpana disclosed.
Dhimahi practices with a group of school going girls and boys at CN Athletics Academy in Ahmedabad.Since NIDJAM is being held in her own backyard, Dhimani is a bit nervous too. “I’ve told all my friends and relatives that they should come and motivate me.”
The budding athlete won a bronze in the U14 triathlon event at the previous edition held in Patna, Bihar, she is ambitious to raise the bar when she steps on the track on the home ground. “I will try my best to improve the colour of the medal this time,” Dhimahi said after Wednesday’s practice session.
The daily afternoon routine to the playground has been an enriching experience for Dhimahi’s mother. “Sports are a great way to be more disciplined particularly in formative years of school,” the mother said. “I’m happy that my daughter is following athletics.”
Dhimahi has been involved in physical activity since class third. But it got more serious post Covid-19 pandemic. “After mid-2021 she was more regular at the playground,” recalls Dhimahi’s mother.By dint of hard work the school going student represented Gujarat team in West Zone junior meet and competed at the 2022 national age group competition.
“I was physically and psychologically not prepared as my practice didn’t go on expected line in 2022,” the budding athlete from Ahmedabad recalled.The 2023 season, however, was more productive in terms of performance. Dhimahi went on to win a bronze in the U-14 triathlon event at the NIDJAM held in Patna, Bihar.She has graduated to the U16 group and will compete in pentathlon. She is confident of making a good impression. “The competition is being held in the neighbourhood and I want to do well,” she added.
