Legendary athlete Anju Bobby George on her training academy for girls

Anju Bobby George, 44, was recently declared Woman of the Year by World Athletics, track and field’s global governing body. Not just for her own legendary career — she remains the only Indian to have won a medal at the World Athletic Championship (in 2003), and in 2004 set what remains the record for longest jump by an Indian — but also for her involvement in the sport. Since 2016, she and her husband, coach Robert Bobby George, have run a free academy for girls from economically weak backgrounds. They scour the country to find girls with potential, then care for, train and mentor them. Take a look at their mission, in her words.