Neeraj Chopra Advocates for Mondo Track and Grassroots Development in Sports Governance Bill Meeting
In a recent meeting to discuss the draft National Sports Governance Bill, Indian javelin star Neeraj Chopra urged the government to expedite the installation of a Mondo track at the National Institute of Sports (NIS) in Patiala.
In a recent meeting to discuss the draft National Sports Governance Bill, Indian javelin star Neeraj Chopra urged the government to expedite the installation of a Mondo track at the National Institute of Sports (NIS) in Patiala. Neeraj, who attended the meeting virtually, emphasized the importance of this advanced track surface, which is becoming increasingly popular at major international events. He pointed out that athletes competing at the Paris Olympics and the Diamond League finale in Brussels had the advantage of performing on Mondo tracks, which enhance performance and reduce the risk of injury. The Mondo track, made of vulcanized rubber, provides shock absorption and elasticity that help athletes maintain better posture, stride length, and rhythm. It also offers a “springboard” effect, allowing athletes to push off the surface more efficiently.
NIS Patiala, a National Centre of Excellence, has a traditional synthetic track, a mix of sand, fiber, wax, and rubber. However, Neeraj believes upgrading to a Mondo track will give Indian athletes a level playing field in international competitions. Neeraj has advocated for this upgrade since 2018-19, and he reiterated that competing on Mondo tracks abroad puts Indian athletes at a disadvantage since they are not accustomed to the surface. Besides the Mondo track, Neeraj highlighted the need for more stadiums and training facilities at the grassroots level. He stressed that these facilities should not be reserved solely for national camps or major competitions but should be accessible to foster fresh talent. Additionally, Neeraj emphasized the importance of Indian coaches staying updated with global trends in athletics, suggesting that better coach education would contribute to improved performances on the world stage.
