Pune, 20th May 2021: India’s Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) scheme swimmer Mihir Ambre, National champion in 100 Mts dash in junior girls Avantika Narale, Table tennis Junior and sub-junior national champion Pritha Vartikar, Upcoming junior and Sub-junior tennis players, Manas Dhamne, Rutuja Chaphalkar, Taekwondo National player Parvandh Krishnan are among the top athletes who will be privy to one of the best scientific support possible to rehabilitate their injuries if any, improve strength and conditioning, etc as city-based Fit2Sport has inked a collaboration with the UK based Elena Baltacha Foundation (EBF).
The Elena Baltacha foundation was founded by former tennis coach of the Britain women’s team Nino Severino which boasts of patrons: Judy Murray (mother of Wimbledon champion Andy Murray) and Martina Navratilova ( Tennis Legend).
Speaking on the collaboration Dr Ajit Mapari founder of Fit2Sport said that, in view of the current pandemic situation in the world with regards to sports and related activities, not only it is important to keep the morale of players high, but also offer help in providing scientific support and advice possible to rehabilitate their injuries if any, maintain and improve their strength & conditioning levels.
The first list of athletes identified for this program includes some of the top 10 current and upcoming players across multiple disciplines in India, who will be privileged to attend online sessions from experts involved from the Elena Baltacha Foundation (EBF) from the UK and Fit2Sport, India.
In his message, Nino Severino said, “As both entities move through 2021, we look forward to making Fit2Sport, HUB and Sport Skills 4 Business (under the Elena Baltacha Foundation umbrella) a positive force and influence in the lives of young athletes. Both I and Dr Ajit are committed to ensuring that many of the spaces will be offered on the SS4B collaboration between the UK and India to young athletes who live in deprived and disadvantaged areas too, which is always at the forefront of The Elena Baltacha Foundation charitable objectives.”
Structured online sessions under Nino’s SS4B programme will include education and scientific support, along with a safe social space for athletes from UK and India to connect with each other. This specific program will be free of cost to these selected players via Fit2Sport for a year.
Dr Mapari added that the collaboration has been inked after almost two years of continued discussions. Under our agreement, big names in the world of sports from different parts will remotely help athletes in many ways through the EBF platform.
We are happy that Fit2Sports, involved in evidence-based injury management and performance enhancement programs for a few years, share common ground with the EBF matching on intellectual and professional outlook towards the development of athletes. The aim is to build a strong foundation in supporting players to perform at the highest level. Both the organisations also appreciated the efforts of physiotherapist and sports science expert at Fit2Sport, Meghan Belsare who was instrumental in making this collaboration possible.”