The two school kids — Jashika Khan aka Lovely and Mohd Eizazuddin nicknamed Ali, who are making the world crazy with their somersaults and cartwheels on the street of Kolkata, have now joined at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) Eastern Centre as trainees.
Lovely is just 11 and Ali is a year older, but together they are a power-packed combo. They were traced to Kolkata. Residents of Kolkata's Port area, Lovely is a Class 7 student while Ali studies in Class 8 at the local government school. She lives with her parents and two siblings in a one-room house in a Garden Reach slum. Her father is a driver while her mother works in a tailoring shop. Ali's parents are labourers. Both are students of Sanghamitra Vidyalaya.
In the video, the two went somersaulting and cartwheeling on the way to school. The hip-hop learners were in their school uniform with schoolbags saddled on their backs which made netizens praise the duo. Social media users through their platforms cannot stop gushing over their performance on Kolkata streets. The video went viral on social media immediately, and it reached and impressed five-time Olympic gold medallist gymnast Nadia Comaneci. The kids will soon be full-time trainees at SAI.
Key Takeaways:
- School kids - Jashika Khan aka Lovely and Mohd Eizazuddin nicknamed Ali - performed somersaults and cartwheels on the streets of Kolkata, have now joined at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) Eastern Centre as trainees.
- The video went viral on social media immediately, and it impressed five-time Olympic gold medallist gymnast Nadia Comaneci.
- “This is awesome,” tweeted the five-time Olympic gold medallist Comineci from Romania.
- “These kids are raw talents. Will get them connected to a gymnastics academy if someone brings them to me,” Kiren Rijiju tweeted.
On Wednesday, the kids were called for trials by Manmeet Singh Goindi, the regional director of SAI Eastern Centre. “Yes, I have met the kids. The coaches here too have seen them,” an impressed Goindi told The Telegraph. “They are certainly talented and have the desire to achieve much. I have spoken to their parents and both sets of parents are keen to enrol the children here.”
“At SAI, not only will the children get food, lodging and proper education, they will also be trained under qualified gymnastics coaches. Plus, the right equipment will be made available to them. They will practise in proper indoor halls. No more will they have to jump around on the road and somersault on concrete, risking injuries,” Goindi continued.
“Theirs is also the right age for induction into gymnastics training.” he said.
“We keep doing it. It is great fun. I enjoy every move,” said Lovely, who is now famous across the country for her acrobatics.
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Lovely and Ali
PC The New Indian Express
Ali said he always loves to perform somersaults. “It does not matter whether the surface is hard or soft. I am always confident about my landing skills,” he said.
The two have performed vault and thus became the new Internet sensation after a TikTok video of them was noticed by legendary Nadia Comineci. “This is awesome,” tweeted the five-time Olympic gold medallist from Romania on August 29.
In no time, the video caught attention of the Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju who tweeted seeking information about the kids. “I'm happy that Nadia Comineci tweeted it! As first gymnast who scored perfect 10.0 at the 1976 Montreal Olympics, and then, received six more perfect 10s to win three gold medals, it becomes very special. I've urged to introduce these kids to me.”
These kids are raw talents. Will get them connected to a gymnastics academy if someone brings them to me - Kiren Rijiju
Soon, Netizens spotted the viral video and helped the minister locate the two children. They were traced performing on Kolkata streets. Later, Rijiju tweeted ensuring a bright future for the children, affirming that they will be provided with opportunities if they “desire to get out of their present school to pursue a career in gymnastics.”
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According to reports, the two have no experience in gymnastics and they were performing in front of their dance trainer, Shekhar Rao. Rao trains the kids for free in hip-hop and B-boying at the Eternities Dance Academy.
Rao, who teaches underprivileged students free of cost, said, “I charge those who can afford to pay. I spend the money collected from other students to teach a group of 70-odd children, including Lovely and Ali. I give them T-shirts, track pants and shoes which are required for the training. I also bought floor mats for them.”
Lovely’s proud mother Reshma Khatun said, “But if I knew that she would perform the act on the street, I would not allow her. But things have changed since the video went viral. When I got Lovely enrolled in the dance class, our neighbours and relatives criticised my decision. My husband stood beside me. He said we should allow her to take part in activities of her interest.”
Ali’s mother Kesri Bibi said when Ali insisted to join the dance class, she disagreed. “It was because we were not in a position to bear the fees. When Ali told me his mentor would not take money, I allowed him to pursue his dream,” she said.
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Feature Image Credit: Northeast Today
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