Sport - Olympic Games

Akhil stresses need for SA trainer

NEW DELHI: Akhil Kumar has cried hoarse that he and the rest of the Indian boxers would need the services of physical trainer Heath Mathew, but the South African does not find a place in the list of 42 officials cleared by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA).

Returning from a wrist surgery, Akhil has been indebted to Heath Mathew for the recovery and rehabilitation. The boxer had resumed full-fledged training only in recent weeks after the wrist pain had returned to haunt him.

“We have got only two coaches and a manager. There is no doubt that the boxers need Mathew, for he is one of the best trainers in the world. In fact, he may benefit everybody as he has worked with our tennis and badminton players, apart from the archers,” said the Secretary General of the Indian Amateur Boxing Federation (IABF), Col. P. K. Muralidharan Raja.

The IOA president, Suresh Kalmadi, assured that Mathew would still be sent if that was in the interests of the team. “If we need to send him, we will do that,” Kalmadi said.

Though the IOA did not release the list of 42 officials, it was understood that there were 12 officials recommended for 17 athletes in track and field, and 10 officials for the four-member tennis team, including Sania Mirza’s mother Nasima Mirza as one of the coaches. — Sports Reporter

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