India has the capability to host big-ticket events, says Seb Coe

NEW DELHI: International Athletics Federation (IAAF) President Sebastian Coe says that India has the capability to host big ticket track and field events and he would love to see the prestigious Diamond League meeting being held in the country in the near future.

Coe, who was in India early this year for his first visit to a member federation after taking over as IAAF chief, said the athletics events of the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games were a huge success and it showed that the country can host big international meets.

“Yes, India can host big events because India staged the 2010 Commonwealth Games. The athletics programme in the 2010 CWG was held in a world-class stadium and it was delivered in front of full houses virtually every session,” Coe said.

“I know it is possible. New Delhi also hosted the World Half Marathon Championships way back in 2004 and it was hugely successful. So, I am sure India is well capable of hosting big international events,” Coe said when his opinion was sought on India’s capability to hold IAAF events.

“I want to see IAAF events coming to India. It’s important IAAF increases its global footprint, particularly for our big one-day athletics events. Asia, including India, is an important market. That will be where our focus is. I would love to have a Diamond League event in India one day,” he added. IAAF plans to hold its Level 1, 2 and 3 courses in India next year and that is expected to address shortage of IAAF -certified coaches in the country. India has just around 30 coaches who have passed IAAF’s Level 1 course while only a couple have passed Level 2.