Top athletes allowed to keep personal coaches: Goel

Top athletes have been allowed to keep personal coaches besides being provided assistance to procure personal equipment as part of the government's increased focus on preparing them, Sports Minister Vijay Goel said today.
"If there is a need, top athletes are allowed to have a personal coach in addition to the existing national coach. Besides, liberal assistance was given to athletes to procure personal equipment," said Goel at a press conference to highlight his ministry's three-year achievements and initiatives.
"The coaches will be a major part of any delegation rather than the Federation officials. In selection of teams also, coaches will have a major say now for fair and transparent selection," he added.

The Minister said for the coaches' development, National Sports Federations (NSFs) have been asked to enhance the expertise of existing coaches.
"Recently boxing coaches were trained by bringing internationally accredited master coaches. Master trainers are being invited to upgrade coach development program. Foreign faculty is being engaged at NIS, Patiala and LNIPE, Gwalior."
Goel also said the SAI coaches' performance will be reviewed and their contracts would be extended on the basis of their performances.

"SAI coaches will be imparted induction training as well as phase-wise training during service as part of in-service capacity development program. Structured course modules have been framed and promotions will be linked with their trainings.

"Regular coaches will be 50 per cent and rest will be on contract based as a flexi-mode and need based on gap analysis. Physical proficiency test has been devised for coaches so that they continue to perform at their highest level," he said.
Even the "athletes will be checked for injury before every major international event", insisted Goel.
Goel said the Ministry has also been sending coaches to foreign countries.
"Sending coaches abroad for capacity enhancement is being implemented for strength and conditioning. 25 coaches have already undergone two weeks training at Birmingham."
Goel said the preparation for next three Olympics -- 2020, 2024 and 2028 -- has already started as directed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"The Task Force has been set up for the next 3 Olympic games and it has submitted report for 2020 Olympics which is being studied for implementation. Besides, sports talent search portal has been launched to make talent hunt process fair and transparent," said Goel.
He applauded a majority of the NSFs for implementing and following the sports code and said that the National Sports Development Code can soon be a bill.
"A committee has been constituted and the recommendations made are under examination. The sports code can soon become a bill and when it is implemented it would be better than what one can think of," he said.