
The Sports Ministry has extended the contract of 9 foreign coaches and support personnel, including High Performance Director of athletics with an eye on the 2024 Olympics, Commonwealth Games and Asian Games 2022. In July this year, the Sports Ministry had decided to draw up extended contracts for foreign and Indian coaches in sync with the Olympic cycle. This decision was taken by the Ministry with a focus on the 2024 and 2028 Olympics, and to ensure Olympic-bound athletes are able to train consistently and in continuity with one coach and improve their performance as per the international standards.
Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju has said it will benefit the athletes in their training. He said, there is a well-defined roadmap ahead for our athletes as we eye the best of preparations for 2024 and 2028. Mr Rijiju said, this decision to extend the contract of the coaches will benefit our athletes as there will be continuation of their training with the same coach. He said, coaches play the most vital part in moulding our athletes to reach the elite level and this also improves India’s chances in various major international events going ahead.
The Sports Ministry and Athletics Federation of India feel language is often a barrier with foreign coaches but extending their contracts is going to help better the understanding between the coach and the athlete.