’Renew foreign coaches’ term’: Ashwini

’Renew foreign coaches’ term’: Ashwini

Mangalore Today News Network

March 8: Having made heads turn with her splendid show in the Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games, AC Ashwini’s next dream -- London Olympics 2012 -- lies at the crossroads.

Asian Games gold medallist AC Ashwini says she is in a spot of bother with no coach to guide her. DH photoThe fracture on her left hand is recovering but Ashwini’s training plans have taken hit following the government’s delay in renewing the contract of Ukrainian coach Yuri Ogorodnik.

“Whatever I am today, apart from the help I’ve received from various people during my formative years, is because of Yuri,” said Ashwini here on Wednesday. “It has been three months since the Asian Games concluded and the government is yet to renew the contract of Yuri. Without him it is impossible of dreaming about a strong show in London.” The build-up to London will gain momentum this year, with the Asian Championships coming up in Kobe, Japan in July, followed by the World Championships in Daegu, South Korea, in August.

“I’ve already spoken to some of the people concerned in Sports Authority of India and the government. But a positive reply is yet to come. With this being the pre-Olympic year, right preparation, set-up and training is very important.

“Yuri has worked wonders with us over the last decade and if we desire to excel at the Olympics then it is imperative we get him back at the earliest. We’re in March already and we can’t to afford to wait any longer,” added the 23-year-old Asian Games champion in the 400M hurdles who also played a crucial role India winning 4x400M relay gold at CWG and Asiad.

Ashwini and her team-mates are not the only sufferers with government yet to take a call on renewing the contract of foreign coaches. Long distance coach Nikolai Snesarev, who has changed Preeja Sreedharan and Kavita Raut into medal winners at the Asian level, too is yet to return and there are indications that he has got offers from West Asian countries. According to Athletics Federation of India sources, efforts are on to renew their contracts.

“One of the main reasons why we did well in Delhi and Guangzhou is because of strong planning and execution. The government supported us by sending us to Ukraine to train with Yuri. We need their support again, failing which our London dreams will come crashing down,” said Ashwini, who revealed that the Olympic Gold Quest has expressed their willingness to back her.

Ashwini also played down the idea of working under a new coach. “I’ve been working with Yuri for the last 1-1/2 years while some of the others have been training for longer. He has understood us well and knows the strength and weaknesses of all of us. A new coach needs time to settle down and it’s a luxury we can’t afford now. Hopefully, the people concerned understand our plight.”

The national athletics camp is currently on in Patiala with limited number of athletes and a bigger programme with the Asian Championships in view is expected to begin in April.