At a time when the ‘foreign versus Indian coaches’ debate is raging, legendary athlete Milkha Singh has said that results should be the only criterion for the appointment of coaches. Upset at India’s lack of success at the Olympics, Milkha said India doesn’t need coaches to simply make up the numbers or increase the quantity of players but only those who get results and medals at the top level.
“We must appoint coaches on contracts, with clear responsibilities and accountability in terms of producing results,” Milkha said on the sidelines of the launch of SportsMentor’s RESPECT Schools Championship programme here on Thursday.
SportsMentor is an organisation that aims to develop scientific sports education programme for school children in India. Over 25,000 children from 2,500 schools will compete in eight disciplines. These are basketball, football, volleyball, athletics, cricket, lawn tennis, hockey and swimming. Milkha insisted that “we need academies to groom players, as happens in China. Coaches, players and associations all have to work together, only then we can hope for success.”
