Chances of Indian athletes winning medals at Commonwealth games are bleak: Adille J Sumariwalla

Adille J Sumariwalla

The Indian contingent is gearing up for the upcoming Commonwealth games in Glasgow this July. The athletes are looking for support from the fans as well as the governing body Athletics Federation of India (AFI) to do well in the games.

The AFI president Adille J Sumariwalla is not the one you can rely upon to boost the morale of the athletes ahead of the games. This is what he had to say with just over a month to go for the games to begin.

"Indian coaches are of school and college level. They are not of the level to produce international level sportsmen. Even their thoughts do not meet the expectations. If we want medals in Asian or Commonwealth Games, it would not be possible without the foreign coaches," Sumariwalla told reporters at a press conference organised on the occasion of 54th National inter-state (seniors) Athletics Championship 2014.

He also alleged the UPA government of ignoring athletics and said that the chances of Indian athletes winning medals this year are less compared to the 2010 Commonwealth games. Belarusian coach Nikolai Snesarev, arrived only a couple of months ago to assist the Indian athletes.

"He did not have time to change the future of Indian athletes in one month", Sumariwalla added.

Sumariwalla pointed fingers at the UPA government for failing to follow the road map given to them after the last Commonwealth games.

"The facilities which were demanded four years ago have been given now. There was a lack of coordination between the government and the federation. No one used to pay heed to the problems," he alleged.

The president also said that Snesarev, who had given athletes like Sudha Singh, Sridharan, Kavita Raut in 2010 had demanded hike in honorarium -- a payment given for professional services that are rendered nominally without charge -- but the Centre refused it.

"It took four years to get him back as coach again," Sumariwalla said. Holding coaches responsible for doping problems, he said, "If they are responsible, they should be sent to jail".

Sumariwalla expressed optimism in the Narendra Modi led government to bring about positive changes in the Indian sporting ecosystem.