Can`t pick personal coach of every athlete for London: AFI

New Delhi: Athletics Federation of India today said that it was not possible for all the Olympic-bound athletes to choose their coach as the available quota would not permit to do so.

A top official of the AFI said that the Indian Olympics Association would allow a maximum of four athletics coaches for Olympics and it would be not be possible for each athlete to go to London with his personal coach. "So far 13 athletes have qualified for Olympics and we are expecting a few more. We are expecting another five to qualify, that makes 18 athletes. In that case the IOA would give us a quota of four coaches at the maximum, one manager, one masseur and one doctor," he said. "So how would it be possible to send personal coaches of each and every athlete who have qualified for London. That would make the job of federation really difficult," said the official on condition of anonymity as he did not want to get embroiled in a controversy. AFI Director M L Dogra said that the names of coaches will be decided by the selection committee and announced after the qualification process is over. The cut-off date for qualification of relay team is July 2 and July 8 for individual events. Discus thrower Vikas Gowda had expressed disappointment at his father Shive Gowda reportedly not being included as his coach in London Olympics, but Dogra said that nothing has been decided as yet. "Nothing has been decided. We are expecting more athletes to qualify and after the qualification process is over the selection committee will name the coaches," he said. "We have asked for the measurements of Gowda for his blazer and kits because we have to start preparing for the athletes first. The coaches are yet to be announced. We will ask for their body measurements later," said Dogra. Gowda had also blasted the AFI for not making his father his accredited coach during the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games in which he had won a silver medal. PTI