New Delhi: Amidst controversy surrounding the denial of accreditation to Indian archery team's Korean coach Baek Woong Ki for the Paris Games, Sanjeeva Singh, former Olympian and SAI's high-performance director for archery, remains steadfast in his belief that India's six-member squad will achieve success at the Olympics, potentially ending a long quest for medals.
Six Indian archers—Dhiraj Bommadevara, Pravin Jadhav, Tarundeep Rai, Deepika Kumari, Bhajan Kaur, and Ankita Bhakat—have qualified across all categories: men's individual recurve, women's individual recurve, men's and women's team, and mixed team. After training in Compiegne, France, they were among the first batch to enter the Games Village.
Singh, based at SAI's National Centre of Excellence for archery in Sonepat, highlighted improved preparations compared to Tokyo 2021, focusing heavily on scientific training and mental conditioning. He expressed confidence in securing three medals—men's individual, men's team, and mixed team—stating at least one is within reach. A women's medal, while a bonus, hinges on cohesive team performance.
Baek Woong Ki's exclusion from coaching duties in Paris has stirred controversy. The experienced coach, integral to India's preparation, criticised the Indian Olympic Association for his abrupt removal, emphasising his commitment under contract until August 30 solely for Olympic preparation. Despite the setback, Singh refrained from elaborating on reasons behind the decision.
Singh attributed the success of multiple Indian archers qualifying for Paris to substantial financial backing from the sports ministry, amounting to Rs 39.18 crores for the 2021-2024 cycle. This funding facilitated 41 national camps and 24 foreign exposure trips, vital for enhancing competitiveness.
Regarding the men's team's delayed qualification, Singh saw it as a blessing, keeping archers focused and potentially aiding in achieving podium finishes. He stressed the leadership roles of veterans like Deepika Kumari and Tarundeep Rai, both seasoned Olympians preparing for their fourth Games. Deepika's maturity and Rai's experience were highlighted as crucial for team events.
Singh concluded by urging seniors to lead from the front, emphasising collective team performance. With the archery competition commencing on July 25, expectations are high for India to capitalise on their rigorous training and strategic preparation, aiming to secure medals that have eluded them in previous Olympic cycles. PTI
Published: 21 Jul 2024, 10:55 am IST
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