Foreign coach, overseas training must for London Olympics: Deepika

NEW DELHI - Ace archer Deepika Kumari feels India need a foreign coach besides regular overseas trips to have a realistic chance of winning medals at London 2012 Olympics.

Deepika, who won the bronze in women’s team recurve event at the Asian Games and a gold in the Delhi Commonwealth Games, said wind conditions matter a lot in archery and it would be ideal for the team to train in different conditions.

“It would help us a lot if we get to train in London for six-seven months before Olympics. All competitive archers have the same equipment but it’s the training methods that make the difference,” the 17-year-old told IANS on the sidelines of a feliciation programme by the industry lobby FICCI.

“I would also like the domestic training camp to be shifted from Kolkata to Pune, which has a more pleasant weather. We, however, have not been informed about the upcoming training camps so far.”

Deepika also felt the team needs a foreign coach for Olympics preparations.

“A South Korean coach would come handy in the Olympics preparations since the country has been dominating the sport for many years. The Indian coaches have been of a great help but a foreign hand is required for excelling in tougher events.”

Deepika also hoped for a proper diet for archers to compliment the training program.

The Ranchi girl did not hesitate one bit to rate her Asian Games team bronze higher than the Commonwealth Games gold. Deepika missed out on a bronze in the individual event after losing play-off for the third-fourth place.

“Competing against world’s best archers and winning a medal was more satisfying,” she said. The team narrowly lost to defending champions South Korea in the semi-finals before winning a cliffhanger against the formidable Chinese Taipei.

“Before the London event, my aim is to win a medal in the World Championships in June next year,” she said.