The team Brand Kerala is in conversation with P U Chitra, the young track and field athlete from Palakkad, who with her keen determination and unfailing dedication, brought fame to her motherland.
“I began participating in sports events when I was in 7th standard and from the very next year onwards I started getting medals in different competitions. I took part in state-level competitions and bagged many prizes during my school days. When I joined college, I participated in University level events and won accolades,” recollects Chitra.
While in school, she was the state champion for four times and national champion for two times. She has participated in 1500, 3000 and 5000m events. She cherishes those memories, “My all-time favorite events were those school meets. I enjoyed them a lot. I love the Federation Cup held in Patiala. I could give my best in that meet.” She considers the controversies regarding her participation in the World Athletic Championship and the decision taken by the Athletic Federation as part and parcel of the game. “I was disturbed at that time. But now I am considering it as a challenge. I have learned to face everything with a positive spirit and it has encouraged me to take out my best in the coming meets.” She says.
She has a bunch of dreams to accomplish. All her dreams are related to her passion, “I want to participate in the next Asian games and give my best performance.” She admires P.T. Usha, and from childhood onwards, she wanted to become a world-renowned athlete like P.T. Usha.
Her extreme passion and respect towards sports could be taken as a model for the newcomers in the field. She deserves to be appreciated for her dedication when she says, “My regular schedule for practice starts from morning 6.30 am to 9 am and evening from 4 pm to 5.30 pm”. Her family is her backbone; it includes her father Unnikrishnan, mother Vasanthakumari, two sisters Saumya and Sandhya, and her brother Krishnakumar.
Chitra is now pursuing her post-graduation in History at Christ College, Irinjalakkuda. Talking about her support system, Chitra feels she is blessed, “My family friends, teachers from college and school, support and gave the strength to achieve my dreams. My coach is Sijin. He is a physical trainer in Mundoor School.”
Like any other one in the field, she too has apprehensions regarding securing a job in the government sector. “There is a quota of jobs in the government sector for athletes who participate in national and international level competitions. But it’s a fact that most of the athletes are facing issues while they apply for a job. Many athletes are coming from poor financial backgrounds though they win prizes for our country. Their only solace is the hope of getting a job. Even I got the surety from the Government. But no steps have been taken so far by anyone. I am getting scholarships, but that is not enough. I have to look after my family. They have struggled so much. They suffered a lot”, she adds.
