The Hindu : Sport / Table Tennis : Efremov is first choice foreign coach

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Aug 10, 2007
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Sport

Sport - Table Tennis

Efremov is first choice foreign coach

Rakesh Rao

NEW DELHI: Aleksey Efremov of Belarus has emerged as the first choice of the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI) as the National team’s new foreign coach.

After a search of over seven months, the TTFI has indicated to the Sports Ministry that Efremov was its pick, ahead of two Chinese aspirants Wei Xin Min and Chen Gren Yao, both 48.

Speaking to The Hindu, the TTFI secretary Mool Chand Chowhan said, “we are keen to have two coaches, one European and one Chinese. In the past, our players have found it difficult to interact with the Chinese coaches and that& #8217;s the reason why we are keen on an English-speaking coach.”

The Indian players have been without a foreign coach since Sweden’s Benone Cristian Grigore’s contract ended after the Doha Asian Games last year.

Decision on Aug. 14

The decision on the selection of coach or coaches will be taken in a meeting between the officials of the TTFI and the Sports Ministry here on August 14.

“Much depends on whether the Sports Ministry agrees to pay around $4,000 per month for the foreign coach. Good coaches around the world usually charge this much.

At present, we offer $2,000 per month and do not attract the best. That’s why we have requested the Sports Ministry to raise the monthly remuneration for worthy coaches,” said Mr. Chowhan.

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