Rio 2016: Only way forward for Dattu is to reach the top: Rajpaul Singh Mokha

Indian rower Dattu Bhokanal's story is nothing short of a fairy tale.

From growing up in a small drought-stricken villagecalled Talegaon Rohi in Maharashtra, to becoming the most sought after Indian athlete here at the Rio Games, his is a story that inspires and reaffirms faith in the future of sport in India.

The life of this 25-year-old rower from Indian Army took a 360 degree turn few months back when qualified for the global event. The youngster, who didn't even know what Olympic Games is all about till a few years back, is now seeing international television channels queueing up to get his bytes.

The buzz around him is certainly not about his chances of winning India its first rowing medal but about how he beat the odds to reach where he has. It is about a school drop out (10th grade), who was scared of water but through sheer grit overcame the fear to become the top Indian rower in a span of four years.

However, it might be far fetched to expect Dattu to win a medal in Rio. His coach Rajpaul Singh Mokha, himself a member of the US rowing team for nearly a decade, said he hopes his ward to win a spot between 13th to 15th when the rower starts his Olympic quest.

"He has come from nowhere (not below 100) to No. 19 position in last one year. The only way forward for him now is to reach the top. But that needs a complete backing from the system," said Mokha after yet another practice session with his ward on Wednesday.

Mokha may have his roots in India, as his father lived in Amritsar before migrating to the US, but he talks like any other foreign coach. Contracted with the Indian Army, Mokha knows that nothing will change in India unless a change of approach happens at the top level of administration.

"I was so amazed to see the rowing facilities in Pune when I joined. It's as good or even better than most of the countries. But sadly, no administrator related to the game here in India is serious about promoting it at the grass roots level," Mokha said pointing towards how his own entry was resisted by the Indian Rowing Federation few months back.

Mokha doesn't want future Indian rowers to join this water sport late. He is certain that good training and exposure can do wonders for Dattu.

"He is so natural and just needs to improve on his strength part if he has to come at par with the top guys in the world. For example, Dattu weights just about 70kg, whereas his competitors around the world are around 90kg or more. He needs continued support from all quarters if he has to reach the top. But then, the push in India has to come at a basic level to popularise the game as it was done in the US," said the coach.

So, will Mokha continue to coach Dattu after the Games?

"It all depends on the circumstances and the will of the administrators," said Mokha.

The good news is that Dattu is unperturbed by the talks of water and air pollution in Rio.

"We didn't see any problem here during the practice sessions. In fact, I would say that this place has still been better than so many other venuws in the world," Mokha refused to side with the protesters who are accusing the Brazil government of not organising the Games properly.

Dattu has been going through a tough phase. If, on the one hand, there is happiness and excitement at the opportunity to participate in his first and one of the biggest sporting events of his life, on the other, he is going through anxious moments praying fervently for his bed-ridden mother to get better.

Mokha has just one wish that Dattu should do well in Rio and help popularise the sport in India. A wish that one billion Indians would certainly want to come true.