Poor road conditions in Agartala, says gymnast.
Indian gymnast Dipa Karmakar has landed in an awkward situation as her family has decided to give back the BMW car presented to her by Sachin Tendulkar, owing to maintenance issues and bad road conditions in her hometown Agartala.
Karmakar, along with India’s two medalists PV Sindhu and Sakshi Malik received the BMW car in September as a gift for their performance in the Rio Olympic Games, reported The Times of India.
Now, if reports are to be believed, the gymnast will return the BMW car to the original owner V Chamundeswaranath, president of the Hyderabad Badminton Association.
BS Nandi, Karmakar’s coach was quoted by The Times of India saying, “It wasn’t Dipa’s decision. Rather it was a collective decision taken by her family and me. There are two main reasons behind it. First, there is no BMW service center in Agartala and secondly, the roads are not suitable to drive a posh car such as this.”
According to the report, the gymnast who hails from a middle-class family in Agartala, is unable to manage the maintenance cost of a car like the BMW and there are also reports that the roads in Agartala are too narrow to maneuver the car.
The Hyderabad Badminton Association has accepted their request.
“We have spoken to the concerned authority and gladly, they have no problems with it. It was also suggested to them that if possible, they transfer the amount equivalent to the value of the car to Dipa’s bank account. And if not, we will be happy with whatever amount they decide,” he said.
She is currently in intense practice sessions ahead of Challengers Cup in Germany, but the Gymnastics Federation of India has told her coach Nandi that Dipa’s participation depends if they can prepare a three-member team to represent the Indian camp.
“According to the Federation, we must at least prepare a three-member team. Otherwise, we won’t be able to participate in the Challengers Cup. The camp has also suggested that I begin a preparatory camp as soon as possible,” Nandi said to Times.