India’s medal hope in the shot-put Inderjeet Singh wants his coach Pritam Singh to accompany him to Rio for better performance.
India’s medal hope in the shot-put Inderjeet Singh wants his coach Pritam Singh to accompany him to Rio for better performance. The 28-year-old burly athlete said he has made this plea to the Athletic Federation of India but it hasn’t materialised yet.
“I was one of the first athletes from India to qualify for the Games. I will be the lone shot-putter to travel to Rio. I will feel alone in the flight and at the Games.
“I don’t know whether any coach will be with me. I need my coach Pritam Singh, who has been with me from 8 to 10 years support me. I had requested AFI to include him in the Rio contingent but they said the contingent will get bigger,” said Inderjeet, who achieved qualification mark for the Rio Olympics with a throw of 20.65m at 19th Federation Cup in May 2015.
“Coaches are always unsung heroes. Pritam is the younger brother of (former international) Shakti Singh who has done lot for the sport. His presence will take some pressure out of me and allow me to focus better. I request AFI to reconsider my plea. His presence will only add to my performance,” he added.
Inderjeet also said he never shied away from doping tests. “It hurts when people write that I shied away from doping tests.
“I have been called for tests on short notice and I have given tests thrice. Checking doping menace is good but it should not become a way to target athletes,” he said.
