All eyes on home-girl Meghana, Aditee

​Hyderabad: Gymnasts Meghana Reddy of Telangana and Aditee of Maharashtra will spearhead the country's challege when the first edition of the two-day Indian Rhythmic Gymnastics Cup begins at the Gachibowli Stadium here Saturday.

The 20-year-old from Telangana had her first brush with rhythmic gymnastics at the age of 11 and her perseverance saw her become the only rhythmic gymnast to represent India at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia.

18-year-old Anna-Marie Ondaatje, a Canadian born female rhythmic gymnast of Sri Lankan descent, who competed at the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games, has already arrived here.

The uniqueness of this event is that it is the first time ever international competition in Rhythmic Gymnastics happening in the history of sports in India and it is also the all-women Olympic sport happening in India.

Organised as an independent competition by Gundlapally Krida Foundation, the showdown of all categories will be held from 9am to 5pm and the opening ceremony will be held at 5 pm followed by gala performances by a few athletes including Indians.

The Competition will be held in four different age groups—Sub Juniors Under-10; Sub Juniors Under-12; Juniors 12 – 15 years and Seniors—15 years and above.

In all 65 gymnasts from seven nations - Italy, Germany, Slovenia, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and India - will participate in the event.

Indians from Mumbai, Pune, Amravati (Maharashtra), Hyderabad, Chandigarh, Delhi, Punjab, Karnataka and Chennai will be in fray for the historic event. Most of the sub-junior participants are from India while the junior and seniors are mostly from five other countries.

The heavy weights of the sport have descended on to the city. They include Spela Dragas from Italy. She is the Competition Director for this cup. She is also a coach and International Judge of Rhythmic Gymnastics.

She has 20 years of experience in rhythmic gymnastics field - training elite gymnasts and judging the most important international competitions such as Olympics Games, World Championships, World Cup Series and European Championships. Currently RG's Technical Director of the ASU (the third Italian club) and personal coach of the individual gymnast of the Italian National Team, Alexandra Agiurgiuculese.

The Cup will be covered by Barney and Marc the two best photographers in the world in Rhythmic Gymnastics from Germany. They are the official photographers for the cup.

“India has a huge potential of girls playing Rhythmic Gymnastics and this is seen as a major platform for them to get inspired by the world standard. Many children for whom it might not be affordable to go to other countries, the event will serve as an opportunity for them to see the best of International players and get inspiration to do more for the country,”. Gymnastic Federation of India (GFI) vice president Riyaz Bhati said.

CtrlS Indian Rhythmic Gymnastic Cup 2019 brings two Continents - Europe and Asisa - into one platform and make way for Rhythmic Gymnastics an all-women Olympic Sport in India, said GR Reddy, MD, Husys Consulting Limited and Chief Patron of Gundlapally Krida Foundation.

Special Orientation to delegates with athletes : Spela the program director will be offering a 45 minutes orientation on the judging and coaching tips post event on February 17. This is intended to help understand the intricacies of the routines of the athletes and the event as a whole.

The Competition Mat is supported by Khel Gaon Public School Gymnastics Centre run by Dr.U K Mishra and the event is organised in association with Ctrls Datacenters, Prowess Software, Almond House, Husys Consulting, Gymin Sports, Kapil Group and Knot Solutions

The medals will be awarded as follows:
Sub-Juniors (Under 10): Have to perform one Free Hand and another on any two apparatus by Choice from (Ball, Rope, Hoop, Clubs, Ribbon). Each apparatus will receive three prizes (gold, silver and bronze) Pastorelli Apparatus prizes of international brand will also be given. Sub-Juniors (Under 12): Will have to perform any three apparatus by choice from ball, rope, hoop, clubs, and ribbon).

Each apparatus has three prizes – gold, silver and bronze. Pastorelli Apparatus prizes will be given (international brand) Juniors (12-15 yrs): The participants will have to perform ball, rope and clubs and each apparatus have gold, silver and bronze medals. Gold winner will receive 200 Euro, silver will get 150 Euro and bronze will get 100Euro.

Seniors (15+ yrs): Have to perform ball, hoop, clubs and ribbon. Each Apparatus have gold, silver and bronze medals carry a prize money of 200Euro, 150 Euro and 100Euro respectively

“The major Rhythmic Gymnastics event is organised in Hyderabad and in this backdrop the cup will go a long way to earn good recognition for this sport and we want India to be one of the top contenders in international events.” added GR Reddy.