TOP ATHLETES AMONG 14 NEW APPOINTEES AS COACHES BY SAI

Top sportspersons, including Asian Games medallists such as Ashwini Akkunji and OP Jaisha, are among 14 Olympians and paralympians appointed as coaches and assistant coaches by the Sports Authority of India (SAI), in an effort to ensure that “experienced and elite sportspersons continue to contribute to the progress of sport in the country during their tenure as active sportspersons and even after they retire”.

According to SAI, their appointments as regular staff will secure the sportspersons financially, while allowing them to continue with their regular training and participation in competitions.

Retired sportspersons who have been appointed will take on coaching jobs with immediate effect.

Speaking on the appointments, Neelam Kapur, DG SAI, said, “This is our way of acknowledging the contribution made by these sportspersons to the country. We want sportspersons who have represented the country in the most competitive, elite events of the world, to be associated with sports throughout their professional careers and even after they retire. We want to harness their vast experience towards training young, prospective medal winners.”

Mariyappen T (athletics), who won gold for India in high jump in Paralympics 2016 has been offered a Group A post as coach. Besides, 11 Olympians and 2 Paralympians have been offered Group B post as assistant coaches. All appointed coaches will join on January 5, 2019.

NEW DELHI:

List of coaches: Athletics - Ashwini Akkunji, Jincy Philip, Surendra Singh, OP Jaisha, Debashri Mazumdar, Md Anas, Gopi T, Ram Singh Yadav. Rowing - Inderpal Singh.

Archery - Majhi Sawaiyan

Hockey - Savita Punia.

Paralympians – Sharad Kumar, Ankur Dhama (athletics).