Search for new coach after Johansson backs out

Indian team is without a permanent coach since Italian Massimo Constantini`s tenure ended in November.

New Delhi: Swede Anders Johansson`s decision to turn down the offer of coaching the Indian table tennis team is set to affect the country`s paddlers` preparation for the upcoming international tournaments and more importantly the 2012 London Olympics.

Johansson, a former player and a renowned international coach, initially showed interest in taking up the job, only to back out later due to contractual obligations and family issues. "He (Johansson) backed out because he had some family issues and he also wanted a longer stint (than till the London Games)," said Table Tennis Federation of India general secretary Dhanraj Choudhary."Lot of time was devoted in trying to get him on board. With exactly a year left for the Olympics, Choudhary felt they need to hire a coach as soon as possible.” "The search is already on and I am also in touch with the International Table Tennis Federation (TTFI) in this regard," he said. Asked if money was an issue, Choudhary said: "He had agreed to take up the offer for USD 5,000 but later backed out." The team is without a permanent coach since Italian Massimo Constantini`s tenure ended with the Asian Games in November. PTI