'You inspire young Indians': Sachin congratulates Dipa Karmakar for historic Olympic qualification

New Delhi: Accolades poured in for Dipa Karmakar, who today became the first Indian woman gymnast to qualify for the Olympics, with iconic cricketer Sachin Tendulkar and Sports Minister Sarbananda Sonowal leading the sports fraternity in praising here for the historic feat. Praising Dipa for her historic feat, Tendulkar said her achievement would inspire the youth of the country. [caption id=“attachment_2735362” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  File picture of Sachin Tendulkar and Dipa Karmakar. AFP/Getty[/caption] “Congratulations #DipaKarmakar on creating history with your qualification. You inspire young Indians with your achievement. Best wishes,” Tendulkar tweeted. Within hours of her qualification in artistic gymnastics for the Rio de Janeiro Olympics at a qualifying event at the same Brazilian city, the Sports Authority of India also included her in the Target Olympic Podium (TOP) Scheme, the government’s initiative to fund Olympic medal prospects in their preparations for the Games. “Congrats Dipa Karmakar. By virtue of Olympic qualification joins TOPS that entitles her four additional assistance of 30 lakhs, four customised training,” the SAI tweeted. Sonowal congratulated Dipa for her feat and for taking Indian gymnastics to a high. “Many congratulations for taking Indian gymnastics to a new high. Dipa Karmakar, we are so proud of you,” Sonowal wrote on his official twitter handle. Dipa today created history by becoming the first Indian woman gymnast to qualify for the Olympics with a strong performance at the final qualifying and test event in Rio. The 22-year-old Tripura girl garnered a total score of 52.698 points in the Olympics qualifying event to book a berth for artistic gymnastics in the Rio Games. Apart from being the first Indian woman, she will also be an Indian gymnast qualifying for the Olympics after 52 long years. Other cricketing stalwarts Virender Sehwag and V V S Laxman also saluted Dipa for qualifying for the Olympics. “Congratulations Dipa Karmakar on becoming the 1st ever Indian gymnast to qualify for the Olympics,” Sehwag tweeted. Laxman wrote on his twitter page: “Congratulations Dipa Karmakar on creating history by becoming the first ever Indian gymnast to qualify for the Olympic Games. Good luck.” Five-time chess world champion Viswanathan Anand also congratulated Dipa. “Congrats dipa kamarkar… There a first for everything. Hope many more firsts come your way,” he tweeted. PTI