Asha Roy

Calcutta: For Asha Roy, the silver medal in the 200 metres sprint of the recently-concluded Asian Track and Field Championships is a thing of the past. She is now concentrating on the two major events next year — the Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games.

“It’s a great feeling to win a medal in my first international meet. But that’s a thing of the past. Now I am focused on the CWG and the Asian Games scheduled next year.

“I want to win gold for India,” she said during a felicitation organised by the West Bengal Athletic Association (WBAA), on Wednesday.

Sushmita Singha Roy, Mallika Mondal, Priyanka Mondal, coaches Kuntal Roy, Tarun Saha, Subhas Sarkar and Susanta Sinha were also felicitated. Priyanka could not attend the function since she is in the national camp at present.

Asha, who clocked 23.59 in the Chennai Nationals and 23.71 in ATF Championships in Pune, said she is closing in on the Chinese and the Koreans. “Difference is not much. I still have a year’s time…”

Asha seems to have the attributes of a true professional as she looks forward to the national camp in Bangalore instead of spending a little bit of time for relaxation. Asked if she had watched the popular Bollywood flick Bhaag Milkha Bhaag — a biopic on Milkha Singh — pat came her reply.

“I am leaving for Bangalore for the national camp on Friday. I don’t know whether I would be able to watch the film.”

According to national sprint coach Tarun Saha, who played a big role in Asha’s success story, the Singur girl is certainly a medal prospect. “She can go the distance. We want to train in England next summer since the Commonwealth Games will be held in Glasgow. Let’s see how things unfold,” he said.

WBAA president Prasun Mukherjee, too, was present on the occasion. Asha was presented with Rs 50,000, while Sushmita, Mallika and Priyanka got Rs 10,000 each.