Leap Gymnastics joins hands with Maharashtra Amateur Gymnastics Association

In a bid to revolutionize the landscape of gymnastics in Maharashtra, Leap Gymnastics, a pioneering initiative by the JSW Group, has entered into a four-year partnership with the Maharashtra Amateur Gymnastics Association (MAGA), taking on the exclusive role of 'Development Partner.' This strategic alliance underscores a collective commitment to invigorate the sport's growth trajectory in the region.

At the heart of this collaboration lies a concerted effort to implement a comprehensive competitive framework and pathway, aimed at broadening participation avenues for gymnasts across Maharashtra. The collaboration stands as a testament to the shared vision of both entities to foster growth within the gymnastics ecosystem, with meticulous adherence to the principles outlined by the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG).

India has been facing several challenges in the development of gymnastics as a prominent sport with only two gymnasts qualifying for the Olympics in the last 70 years. One key reason is the lack of widespread infrastructure and quality training programs. This is being solved by JSW's Leap Gymnastics that currently operates four state-of-the-art training centers in Mumbai, catering to over 1000 aspiring gymnasts. With a strategic vision to proliferate the sport nationwide, Leap Gymnastics endeavors to launch many such centres across India in the coming years, extending its reach to a broader demographic while ensuring access to unparalleled infrastructure and meticulously structured training methodologies.

Tanvi Jindal, Founder of Leap Gymnastics, articulated the organization's mission, stating, "At Leap Gymnastics, our ethos revolves around furnishing a world-class training environment, underpinned by an internationally acclaimed curriculum. Our aim is to provide our gymnasts with the opportunity to embark on a journey of excellence, ultimately representing the nation on prestigious global platforms."

Another significant obstacle hindering the success of Indian gymnasts on the global stage lies in the limited opportunities for progression from beginner to high-performance levels. Currently, the structure of competitions in India primarily revolves around age categories, each with demanding skill prerequisites. This rigid system often proves overly challenging for young gymnasts, leading to frustration and dropout rates. The lack of flexibility in competition formats fails to cater to the diverse skill levels and developmental needs of athletes.

"This was a critical issue that was impeding the growth and potential of gymnasts in our country. To address this issue, we've developed a more adaptive and inclusive approach to competitions, focusing on skill progression rather than age-based criteria. This shift will provide aspiring gymnasts with the necessary support and encouragement to thrive in the sport, ultimately bolstering India's presence in international gymnastics arenas" Tanvi added.

Through the partnership with Leap Gymnastics and MAGA are establishing a unified competitive framework for both Women's Artistic Gymnastics (WAG) and Men's Artistic Gymnastics (MAG) across all clubs and districts in the state. This progressive competition pathway is developed by FIG Technical Expert, Kym Dowdell and is modelled on those that have been implemented by other nations.

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As the initiative reaches the grassroots, there will be an increase in participation opportunities through the introduction of multiple level-based competitions, enhancing their development in the discipline. Moreover, the partnership aims to provide a well-defined pathway for high-performance development, empowering athletes to harbor ambitions of representing the nation on the international platform.

Sanjay Shete, President of MAGA, highlighted the significance of this partnership, affirming, "This 4-year partnership will facilitate the sharing of knowledge, best practices, and industry insights, ultimately contributing to the overall systematic and long-term development, participation, and performance of gymnastics within the state of Maharashtra. Our concerted focus on crafting a robust competitive framework and pathway epitomizes our unwavering commitment to fostering a culture of excellence and inclusivity within the sport."

To kickstart the dissemination of knowledge and technical proficiency, Leap Gymnastics recently conducted an orientation workshop in Balewadi, Pune, engaging over 250 coaches, judges, and officials from the state. Subsequent endeavors include a comprehensive coaches and judges education course slated for April and May, aimed at familiarizing state officials with technical guidelines and judging protocols under the new framework.

Ria Vardhan, CEO of Leap Gymnastics, emphasized the transformative impact of this alliance, asserting, "Together with the MAGA, Leap Gymnastics is not just building a partnership; we're constructing a foundation for the future of gymnastics in Maharashtra. Our shared commitment to excellence, inclusivity, and systematic development will propel aspiring gymnasts to reach new heights, fostering a culture of achievement and empowerment across the state. This alliance marks the beginning of an exciting journey towards unlocking the full potential of gymnastics in Maharashtra and beyond."