New Delhi, Dec 31 (IANS): South Asian Games gold medallist Ashmita Chaliha has advised all young athletes not to think too much about results and focus only on putting their best-foot forward.

"There are pressures for sportspersons, but my coach always tells me to play my game freely and not to take too much pressure. He tells me not to think about winning or losing and has asked me to focus on playing my best game," said Ashmita.

The 20-year-old, who won gold in the Tata Open India International and Dubai International in 2018, said that the Khelo India Youth Games are a great opportunity for upcoming athletes to excel in various fields. The third edition of the competition will be held from January 10 to 22 in Guwahati.

"A lot of athletes are getting an opportunity to excel in tournaments such as the Khelo India Youth Games in various fields such as badminton, taekwondo, among others. The government has financially supported all the fields very well. I would like to wish all the athletes, who are participating in the Khelo India Youth Games in Guwahati, all the very best," said Ashmita.

She also said that all aspiring badminton players in Assam should join the Assam Badminton Academy in Guwahati. Ashmita, who won two golds at the South Asian Games this year, has been training with an Indonesian coach Edwin Iriawan at the academy for the last two years.

"I would suggest all the aspiring badminton players to join the Assam Badminton Academy. In the academy, there are good coaches and I have been trained by an Indonesian coach Edwin Iriawan for the last two years. If the players go to the academy regularly, it will be very helpful for them," said Ashmita.