Two school kids from West Bengal, whose cartwheel video went viral on the social media, have been selected for training at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) Eastern Centre.
The talent of the two kids – 11-year-old Jashika Khan and 12-year-old Mohd Eizazuddin – drew the attention of Union Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju and five-time Olympic gold medallist gymnast Nadia Comaneci.
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A media report quoted SAI regional director Manmeet Singh Goindi as saying in a media statement, “The Garden Reach kids, Jashika Khan & Mohd Eizazuddin whose cartelwheel video went viral & whom 1976 Olympics champion Gymnast Nadia Comeneci appreciated both kids were today in SAI Eastern Region in Kolkata. SAI will take them in Hostel & train in Kolkata.”
Two Indian cartwheeling school kids, who went viral after Olympic gymnast @nadiacomaneci10 and Indian Sports Minister @KirenRijiju shared their video, have now been selected by the national sports body to train as full-time gymnasts. https://t.co/XReBZG97H3
— Twitter Moments (@TwitterMoments) September 5, 2019
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Earlier, sharing the video, Comaneci had said in a tweet: “This is awesome.”
The school kids will soon be full-time trainees, said reports.
“This is awesome,” wrote the Romanian gymnast while sharing the video online.
The video of just 15 seconds shows Mohd Eizazuddin and Jashika Khan doing cartwheels and somersaults in their school uniforms with school bags mounted on their shoulders.
Expressing her excitement over her selection to undergo SAI training for gymnastics, Jashika Khan told the media, “I felt great joy when I came to know about it. I have told my parents too and they have also expressed their happiness.”
She also informed that she has been practicing it for the last four years.
“I want to become a gymnast like Nadia Comaneci in the future,” she added.
Union Sports Minister Rijiju’s interest to bring out hidden sports talents across the country has brought rays of hopes.
He has urged the people of the nation to introduce kids to him so that his ministry can provide facilities and proper training.
Sharing the comment of Nadia Comaneci along with the video, Rijiju had tweeted: “I’m happy that @nadiacomaneci10 tweeted it! As first gymnast who scored perfect 10.0 at the 1976 Montreal Olympics, and then, received six more perfect 10s to win three gold medals, it becomes very special. I’ve urged to introduce these kids to me.”
I’m happy that @nadiacomaneci10 tweeted it! As first gymnast who scored perfect 10.0 at the 1976 Montreal Olympics, and then, received six more perfect 10s to win three gold medals, it becomes very special. I’ve urged to introduce these kids to me. https://t.co/ahYVws8VCB
— Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) August 30, 2019
According to reports, Rijiju also expressed his interest to meet the two and minister of state Ratan Shukla to felicitate them at the Netaji Inddor Stadium.