Indian coaches' just as good as foreign counterparts, says Dipa Karmakar's coach

Agartala (Tripura), Aug. 23 (ANI): Rejecting the notion that foreign coaches are more likely to deliver results when it comes to local athletes, 'Produnova' specialist Dipa Karmakar's coach Bishweshwar Nandi asserted that Indian coaches' can do just as well, or even better, provided they are given proper facilities and infrastructure. Talking about his plans for Dipa and other Indian gymnasts for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, Nandi told ANI here on Tuesday that he is hoping for a much better sports policy, so that they can aim for at least ten medals. "We need more focus on the current sports policy. Throughout the year there should be at least eight to nine national camps. Every team should be sent abroad for training. They do send sometimes now as well, but it should be told in advance so that the coaches can plan accordingly. That way even the athletes are inspired and motivated for what is coming ahead," he said. When asked about the concept of expecting more results from foreign coaches, Nandi asserted that Indian coaches do have it in them to produce great results, but only when they are given proper facilities and infrastructure, so that they can train their athletes with world-class amenities. "We need much more than what the SAI (Sports Authority of India) is giving us. This time in Olympics, I spoke to Vijay Goel (Minister of State for Sports and Youth Affairs), and he asked me a list of what I want and it was provided. But we are going to ask for more. When the government gives us facilities, then it becomes our responsibility to deliver results," he added. Dipa's fourth place finish in the individual vault final at the Olympics is India's best performance in an international competition. "My experience was good at the Olympics. And, I want to express my deepest gratitude to those who prayed for me, because I could not have performed well without their support," Dipa told ANI. The 23-year-old, hailing from Agartala, missed the bronze medal by 0.150 points as American gymnast Simone Biles won her third gold medal of the prestigious quadrennial event at the Rio Olympic Arena. Biles clinched the gold with a vault of 15.966 ahead of Russia's Maria Paseka (15.253) and Giulia Steingruber of Switzerland (15.216). Dipa performed Tsukahara (14.866) in her first attempt before successfully executing the dangerous Produnova vault (15.266) in her second attempt to secure a remarkable 15.066 points overall. Karmakar had created history when she became the first Indian gymnast to enter the final on her debut at the quadrennial multi-discipline games after finishing eighth in the qualifying round. (ANI)