SAI decides to recruit only the best coaches in business

The Sports Authority of India (SAI) is not comfortable with decisions taken by the federations, especially when it comes to the case of coach selection. The Authority, who pays for the coaches has requested the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) to be careful at the time of selecting coaches and informed them money is not a factor as far as the services of good quality coaches are received.

These matters were discussed during a meeting between the SAI and AFI last week. In spite of spending so much money on Athletics for the Rio Olympics, the Indians did not perform as expected which forced the SAI to take these bold steps.

As per the reports of the New Indian Express, the SAI also commanded the Federations to display advertisements to attract better quality coaches.

The duration of training camps was another issue which was discussed during the meeting and SAI feels that practise time should be more concise as training for too long may shift the focus of the athletes. Regarding this matter, an official said, “Training should be productive and should not make them complacent or lose focus. So there was a discussion on that and, finally, training should be beneficial to athletes.” An athlete generally trains more than 300 days in a year.

It is also learnt as per reports that the AFI initially opposed to the above idea stating that Indian Athletes come from humble backgrounds and if they are not in camps, it will not be possible for them to have proper diet and supplements. Also discussed as an agenda, was the prospect of roping in best International coaches rather than ordinary European coaches.

Only two medals won from after sending India’s largest ever contingent to the Olympics has compelled the leading authority in the country to attain a more professional approach to sports. “That’s why we are keeping a close watch on the activities of the federations and their process of hiring coaches,” stated an official.