New Delhi: The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) has terminated its contract with national javelin coach Uwe Hohn, citing “not happy” with his performance and announcing that two new foreign instructors will be hired soon. The 59-year-old German, a former world record holder, had a contract that lasted until the end of the Tokyo Olympics.
“We are bringing two more coaches and we are changing Uwe Hohn as we are not happy with his performance. We are looking for a foreign coach for Toor (shot putter Tajinderpal Singh Toor),” said AFI president Adille Sumariwalla.
Sumariwalla announced the news at a press conference held at the conclusion of the federation’s two-day executive council meeting, which also included AFI planning committee chairman Lalit K Bhanot and vice-president Anju Bobby George.
In November 2017, Hohn was named the main coach for a one-year contract to teach Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra and two additional Tokyo Olympians, Shivpal Singh and Annu Rani.
In addition, the AFI’s junior (grassroots development) program was redesigned, and so was the establishment of build-up competitions for key international events such as the world championships and the Olympics, as well as a drastically revamped coaching program, particularly for juniors, during the conference.
“To reach the next level, we have to redesign the junior program, how to do talent identification better to improve it further, we held discussions with athletes and coaches, both former and present athletes from all states,” Sumariwalla said.
And one of the meeting’s outcomes was that athletes require additional tournaments in the lead-up to major global competitions.
“Athletes need more competitions, this is mainly for seniors to prepare for larger competitions. Next year we have a tight calendar — with the World Championships, Asian Games, and Commonwealth Games,” Sumariwalla added.
He further stated that “Athletes need competition in preparatory period so that their bodies remain in good nick. So the plan is to introduce build-up competitions at the zonal level so that athletes don’t have to travel far.”
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