Odia gymnast Rakesh Patra at the national camp in Delhi. Telegraph picture

Bhubaneswar, May 14: Odia gymnast Rakesh Kumar Patra is an asset for the Indian squad that has been chosen for Commonwealth and Asian Games.

But the 22-year-old Puri boy, who had emerged the all-round champion last year in the Senior National Artistics Gymnastics Championship, is worried about his performance at the upcoming international championships.

He and other gymnasts of the Indian squad had requested for a training in France to prepare best for the events, but at the last moment, the plan was dropped by the National Sports Development Fund committee.

In March 2013, at the 53rd edition of the Senior National Championships, Patra emerged the all-round champion after winning six gold medals and a silver medal in various categories.

Last year, Patra was awarded Rs 1,65,000 by the state department of sports and youth affairs for his achievements between 2009 and 2012.

“We have been training in Delhi right now at the camp for Glasgow Commonwealth and Asian Games. But, since lack of exposure poses the biggest problem at international events, the squad had requested for a special training in France that would prepare us best for the upcoming events. But, the National Sports Development Fund committee cancelled the training at the last moment, and now, we are not as confident about our success at the events,” said Patra.

He was a part of the bronze-winning team at the Invitational Commonwealth Gymnastic Championship in Perth last month where the India gymnasts bagged seven medals.

Before the 2010 Commonwealth Games, the team had trained in France and performed well, said Patra. “This year, new floor and board will be used for the first time at the Commonwealth Games. At the training camp in Delhi, we have equipment from a French company now. But, the floor and board are not available here. Hence, we requested for the training camp,” said the gymnast.

Sources at the camp said the team’s foreign coach, Jimholt, who is also the technical adviser, had convinced the committee to drop the plan.