AAI to conduct online programmes for archers and coaches

The Archery Association of India (AAI) is set to start online programmes to reach out to the coaches and players with the country under lockdown in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

A member of France's 1992 Olympic gold-winning team Pascal Colmaire, who is the World Archery development and education director, is in the list of 17 experts who will impart online lessons from Thursday.

"When you are in lockdown and not doing anything it's better to do some online training. We have prepared an online training module for our archers. Something is better than nothing," Archery Association of India president Arjun Munda told PTI.

Colmaire will deliver upon 'Expansion' -- the name World Archery use for the action to get the click or trigger, while the list includes national coaches Sanjeeva Singh and Purnima Mahato among others.

There will also be coach development programme and sports science lectures on physiology, biochemistry, strength-conditioning, nutrition and doping among others till May 12.

"It will help in the academic side of the archers. We have to see whether they can make some rectification through online training. At least you will get some tips. What else can you do in this situation."
"First, we have to come out of lockdown. We don't want to do something to bring coronavirus. Let this pandemic eases we will take a call. Till then I cannot comment on this. Jamshedpur has a practice facility. But it's difficult to say in lockdown period."