NEW DELHI: India’s jumpers have emerged among the standout performers in athletics at the Commonwealth Games, but their impressive results have come despite the absence of their coaches.High jumper Sarvesh Kushare clinched silver, while long jumpers Murali Sreeshankar and Lokesh Sathyanathan progressed to the final. High jumper Adarsh Ram finished fifth. Yet, throughout the competition, jumpers have largely been without their Indian coaches, who train them on a daily basis and guide them during competitions. Sarvesh’s coach Jithin Thomas is currently overseeing the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) training camp in Spala, Poland, which runs until Sept ahead of the Asian Games. Adarsh’s coach Sahana Kumari is with the Indian U-20 team for the World Athletics U-20 Championships in Eugene starting early next month. Sreeshankar’s father and coach, S Murali, a constant presence during his competitions, was not cleared to accompany him to Glasgow.The lack of dedicated coaching support became evident during the men’s high jump final. After withdrawing with a knee injury during the warm-up, Tejaswin Shankar stayed back to help Sarvesh from the sidelines. Noticing Sarvesh struggling with his approach, Tejaswin suggested a change in his run-up, advice that helped the eventual silver medallist regain rhythm. Tejaswin, himself, however, had no coach to support him through his own injury setback.According to the final athletics contingent cleared by the govt, chief coach Radhakrishnan Nair is the only Indian support staff personnel accredited with the contingent. The four foreign coaches accompanying the team are Scott Simmons (long distance), Jason Alexander Dawson (400m and relays), Ronald Gerd Weigel (race walking) and Yoandris Betanzos Francis (jumps).However, both Weigel and Betanzos have travelled as Extra Team Officials (ETOs), an accreditation that does not permit access to the competition venue and field of play. As a result, Betanzos can only watch the event from the stands and interact with athletes outside the venue, leaving India’s jumpers effectively without technical guidance during competition despite their strong performances.Raosaheb Jadhav, Sarvesh Kushare’s childhood coach, said, “Forget a coach, not a single support staff member was near the three Indian jumpers. All the other 15 jumpers had a coach or support staff member to correct their mistakes. During his two failed attempts, Sarvesh’s lower back touched the bar. Had there been a coach, he could have spotted the mistake on video and corrected it. Sarvesh could then have cleared 2.28m on his second attempt and won the gold.”(inputs by Amit Sampat)
