India's long jump ace Anju George lashed out at the government's lackadaisical attitude towards sport, saying it could lead to another disappointing show for the country at the coming Olympics in Athens.
In Qatar for the Qatar Super Grand Prix, the recent Paris World Championships' bronze medallist told the Gulf Times, "The government has failed to do its duty in the improvement of sports. The ministers are not efficient. If the government wants medals in top events they will have to provide world-class facilities to the athletes. The infrastructure needs to be improved drastically and scientific methods have to be introduced in all aspects of sports."
The first Indian athlete to win a medal at the World Championships, with a leap of 6.70 metres, George said the August 13-29 Olympics could turn out to be another futile outing for India, and "it will not be just the athletes who will be forced to endure the humiliation but every Indian who dreams of an Olympic medal".
"Still if an Indian manages to win a medal in Athens, it will be only because of his or her hard work and not due to any help from the government authorities," she added.
Saying she is tired of approaching the government for help, George, who is seventh in the world long jump rankings, reiterated she will focus on her Olympics preparations.
"There are expectations from me but I am not under pressure. I can't afford pressure to get to me because it affects the performance," she said.
Last week, George, who had won the gold medal at the 2002 Asian Games in Buasn, finished fourth in the Osaka Grand Prix, her first preparation meet ahead of the Games. Last month she cleared 6.66 metres to win the gold at first National circuit meet in Delhi. Her personal best in the event is 6.74 metres, the Indian record.