SFI wants foreign swimming coach

GUwahati, Feb 14 (UNI) Superlative performances by golden girl Richa Mishra and Karnataka lad Rehan Poncha, in the ongoing National Gamse have prompted the Swimming Federation of India (SFI) to send a proposal to the Government for hiring a foreign coach as part of its long-term training programme for the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi.

The SFI has been eyeing American Paul Andrew Nelsen and Dean John Boxall of Australia and requested the government to appoint one of them for training juniors and some of the earmarked talented senior competitors keeping the Commonwealth Games in mind.

''We want to start the training programme from April. There are several important international engagements coming up before the 2010 event. Our first target is next years Commonwealth Youth Games and then the Olympics,'' SFI secretary general Virendra Nanavati said to a group of newsmen.

He said that once the government gave the go ahead, the foreign coach would be initially appointed till the Commonwealth Youth Games slated to be held in Pune from October 12-18 next year.

''If we find we are progressing in the right direction under the foreign coach, we may continue his services till 2010. Otherwise, we may review his performance and change him,'' he said.

The Australian coach Boxall has asked for a monthly salary of 6000 dollars plus perks whil Nelsen has demanded 4500 dollars plus other emoluments. The Government gives only 2000 dollars for foreign coach and hence the SFI has urged the Sports Ministry to raise the amount.

''We are asking the government to raise the amount. We are also trying to rope in some sponsors,'' said Nanavati, who has been holding the office for more than 20 years.

The federation was also working on a plan to send six to eight talented swimmers to Germany for intensive training for the 2010 Games.

Nanavati said the SFI would hold a training camp beginning from February 26 in Bangalore for the world championship to be staged in Melbourne from March 17-April 1.

Around 10 swimmers will be sent for the world championship.

UNI