Athletes require full time coach, sponsor: Elavarasi

Ranchi: Champion in the 400m hurdles R Elavarasi today said that an athlete requires a full time coach and sponsor to match the feats achieved by sprint legend P T Usha.

"(O M) Nambiar sir totally devoted on Usha didi`s training, overseeing her food requirements to training facilities. He fully focused on her training," Elavarasi told PTI after winning a gold medal in the 53rd National Open Athletics Championships here. Elavarasi, who had won a gold in the inter-state meet on June 8, was replying to a query as to why many of Usha`s records were still untouched even after three decades. She, however, expressed happiness on the federation agreeing to relieve Railway coach to train her so that she could better her performance next season. "I also took a break after 2012 National Games, participating in only a couple of championships (before this Championship)," she said when asked why she failed failed to come close to her personal best of 59.2. PTI