Ragini Gupta’s Inspiring Journey: Ragini Gupta, a Class XI student from Delhi Public School Jammu, won a silver medal in the Under-18 Girls singles at the 4th IPA Nationals. As the only female representative from Jammu and Kashmir, her success highlights her talent and the region’s need for better sports infrastructure.
A Promising Debut
Gupta made a remarkable debut at the tournament. She expressed her joy, saying, “It feels genuinely so amazing, as it was my first, and firsts are always special. And being able to come second at my first national feels so good.”
Her journey into pickleball began with her brother, who introduced her to the sport. “We started playing together for fun only. Today, he’s also my mixed doubles partner,” she noted.
Inspiration from Role Models
At the IPA Nationals, Gupta was inspired by top players like Armaan Bhatia. “He plays amazingly. It was so good to see him play, and I really look up to him,” she shared.
Balancing sports and academics is challenging for Gupta, who pursues a non-medical stream. “It is quite tough to balance both my studies and my games. But I think the school is quite very helpful, and the teachers allow me to play the tournament as well as balance the studies,” she acknowledged.
Family Legacy in Sports
Sports run in Gupta’s family. Her father, Umesh Gupta, was an international skater, and her brother was a national basketball player. “I have been playing sports since I was four or five. It runs in the genes,” she said.
Despite her achievements, Gupta pointed out the lack of infrastructure for pickleball in Jammu and Kashmir. “We don’t have any coaches and no place to play. We just have two courts that private people own,” she explained.
Call for Support
Gupta believes government support is crucial for improving the sport. “If the government takes the initiative, it can become a more popular event. And we can organise many multiple tournaments,” she added.
Looking ahead, Gupta is ambitious. “I see myself representing India and being able to bring the gold for India,” she expressed. She encourages younger girls to participate in sports, stating, “It is very important to play sports as it builds your personality.”
Gupta is optimistic about the future of pickleball in her region but emphasizes the need for resources. “It is growing, but the infrastructure is the main thing that lacks. I think the main setback of this state is that only.”
News in Brief: Ragini Gupta’s Inspiring Journey
Ragini Gupta, a Class XI student from Delhi Public School Jammu, won a silver medal in the Under-18 Girls singles at the 4th IPA Nationals, being the sole female representative from Jammu and Kashmir.
Despite her success, she emphasized the region’s lack of pickleball infrastructure and called for government support to enhance opportunities for athletes and promote the sport’s growth.
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