THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The sterling show by India in track and field events in the Commonwealth Games will boost the country's search for an athletics medal in the 2012 London Olympics, former jumper and current coach Suresh Babu said on Friday.
"The unprecedented crop of medals in the CWG has not only silenced the harshest critics of Indian athletics but also exceeded the expectations of the most optimistic supporters," Babu said.
"The uninterrupted training given in the national camps since October 2008 plus the home advantage had largely contributed to the success. It has raised hopes of the nation to look forward to getting a medal in 2012 London Olympics," he said.
"We should ensure combining of training and keeping the tempo till the next Olympics. Special training by the very best international coaches should be imparted to the outstanding athletes," he said.
Babu picked Tintu Luke (women's 800m), Vikas Gowda (men's discus), Kirshna Poonia (women's discus) and women 4x400m relay quartet as Olympic medal material.
Also, Ranjit Maheshwari (men's triple jump), Mayookha Johny (women's long jump) and Om Prakash (men's shot put) have bright prospects, he said.
"The Government and the powers that be should leave no stone unturned for the success of these athletes. Apart from special coaching, they should also be made to attend the Grand Prix or some international meets," he said.
Krishna Poonia has shown phenomenal improvement thanks to her special coaching by Mac Wilkins (USA), who won the discus gold in Montreal in 1976. US-based Vikas Gowda should also be helped financially to undergo specialised coaching under Wilkins, Babu said.
A former national champion in the 1970s and winner of international medals in high jump, long jump, triple jump and decathlon, versatile Babu was captain and flag bearer of the Indian teams in the World University Games in Morocco (1973) and Commonwealth Games in Edmonton (1978).
He was also national coach for five years and chief national coach in 1989.
"The unprecedented crop of medals in the CWG has not only silenced the harshest critics of Indian athletics but also exceeded the expectations of the most optimistic supporters," Babu said.
"The uninterrupted training given in the national camps since October 2008 plus the home advantage had largely contributed to the success. It has raised hopes of the nation to look forward to getting a medal in 2012 London Olympics," he said.
"We should ensure combining of training and keeping the tempo till the next Olympics. Special training by the very best international coaches should be imparted to the outstanding athletes," he said.
Babu picked Tintu Luke (women's 800m), Vikas Gowda (men's discus), Kirshna Poonia (women's discus) and women 4x400m relay quartet as Olympic medal material.
Also, Ranjit Maheshwari (men's triple jump), Mayookha Johny (women's long jump) and Om Prakash (men's shot put) have bright prospects, he said.
"The Government and the powers that be should leave no stone unturned for the success of these athletes. Apart from special coaching, they should also be made to attend the Grand Prix or some international meets," he said.
Krishna Poonia has shown phenomenal improvement thanks to her special coaching by Mac Wilkins (USA), who won the discus gold in Montreal in 1976. US-based Vikas Gowda should also be helped financially to undergo specialised coaching under Wilkins, Babu said.
A former national champion in the 1970s and winner of international medals in high jump, long jump, triple jump and decathlon, versatile Babu was captain and flag bearer of the Indian teams in the World University Games in Morocco (1973) and Commonwealth Games in Edmonton (1978).
He was also national coach for five years and chief national coach in 1989.
PRABHAKAR MANI
PGDM 1 SEM
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