CONRAD DIAS
Ranchi, Feb 8: Jharkhand’s performance in the ongoing Khelo India Youth Games 2023 has continued to deteriorate as their position has dropped down to 18 out of the 27 participants.
So far, Jharkhand has managed to win just five medals (2 gold and 3 bronze) in the ongoing championship.
Currently, Maharashtra has topped the medals tally with 90 medals (Gold 31, Silver 31 and Bronze 28). The host Madhya Pradesh is at second with 59 medals (Gold 25, Silver 13 and Bronze 21)
Gumla’s Asha Kiran Barla won two gold in the 800 metres and 1500-metre events respectively.
“I’m happy to get two more gold medals at the Bhopal Khelo India Youth Games. I’m focusing more on the national camp, which is meant for the next Olympic games,” said Barla to the Times of India.
Barla’s coach and mentor, Ashu Bhatia, said in an interview that Asha is a golden girl for Jharkhand on track and has great potential as a young athlete.
Notably, Barla trains under Bhatia at his residential academy in Bokaro.
At the Khelo India Youth Games 2023, more than 5,000 athletes representing the 36 states and Union Territories of India are vying for 1,936 medals—573 gold, 580 silver, and 783 bronze in 27 sports.
