Long jumper M Sreeshankar’s coach sacked by AFI after Tokyo Olympics defeat

NS Athletics Federation of India (AFI) On Monday it said it has sacked long jumper M Sreeshankar’s coach, his father S Murali, for the youngster’s dismal performance. Tokyo Olympics Display. At the end of its two-day Executive Council meeting, the AFI also said that a national championship or final trials-like tournament would be held before the Olympics and World Championships to select teams for these events. After breaking the qualification mark at the Federation Cup in March with a national record jump of 8.26m, the 22-year-old Sreeshankar performed poorly in fitness trials just ahead of the Tokyo Olympics, forcing the AFI to consider withdrawing from the Games. fell.

However, AFI approved Sreeshankar: After a written assurance by his coach for the Games that his athlete would produce at least a qualifying performance in Tokyo.

But that was not to happen as he recorded his worst jump in the Games.

“We are not happy with his coaching schedule, the first action being taken is because we have changed his coach,” said AFI President Adile Sumariwala.

It is understood that the AFI’s decision to launch a “final” tournament ahead of major global events such as the Olympics and the World Championships is the result of an episode involving Sreeshankar and the national federation.

“The qualification period for the Olympics and the World Championships is very long. So now there will be the final trials, it will actually be the championships and it will be the last for the teams to be selected,” said Lalit, chairman of the AFI’s planning committee. K Bhanot.

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This is being done to ensure that athletes maintain top form ahead of major events. The veteran administrator also said that India will send a team in full force for next year’s Asian Games but the same may not happen for the World Championships and Commonwealth Games.

“The qualifiers will be sent to the World Championships but we will send a full-strength team to the Asian Games. As far as the Commonwealth Games is concerned, it will depend on the events we expect to do well and where we stand. There are no chances,” he said.