News : SAI extends contract of foreign coaches

To ensure unhindered training for Tokyo 2021 SAI extended the contract of foreign coaches. The Sports Authority of India has extended the contract of 32 foreign coaches in 11 disciplines till September 30, 2021. The contracts of many of the coaches were to end in September this year. The decision was taken to ensure that athletes bound for Tokyo Olympics, which has been postponed by a year, can retain continuity in their training with the same coaches. The Sports Minister had earlier announced that coaches, both India and foreign, will be hired for at least 4 years or one Olympic cycle to ensure continuity in training. The 4-year contract will be handed out with an eye on the 2024 and 2028 Olympics. The interim extension of 1 year till 2021 is an immediate step to ensure athletes have the same coaches till the Tokyo Olympics. The further extension of contract for 4 years will be decided on the basis of the performance of the coach and recommendation from the respective NSFs. The contracts, though for 4 years will be reviewed annually and extended on the basis of a coach’s overall performance, indicated by the performance of athletes in major international events.