Foreign athletics coach to train Punjab coaches

Jalandhar, Apr 6 (UNI) With a hope to get medals in the international athletic events, Punjab Sports Department has invited a renowned athletic trainer from United Kingdom to train Punjab coaches.

Athletic coach David Johnson (54), a British Athletic Federation Level 4 coaching awardee, would be interacting with 70 coaches, including from Punjab Police and Border Security Force and as well as with budding athletes from April 7 to 21 here, Sports Minister Gulzar Singh Ranike told mediapersons here this evening.

The Minister informed that the British coach had trained more than 50 athletes to international status and is the third foreign trainer to impart training to the Punjab coaches and players.

Mr Ranike also assured that more trained foreign coaches would be gradually invited in other sports disciplines, depending upon their availability.

''Our efforts are to consistently update the knowledge of our coaches and put the players on the right path of training to nurse and nourish them into world level players,'' said the Minister.

He also assured that his department would provide all basic infrastructure and other facilities at the village level on priority basis to promote sports and divert youths' attention from the drug menance to properly channel their power.

Sports Director Pragat Singh disclosed that David Johnson would conduct many sessions for all levels of athletes and coaches of Punjab. The British coach specializes in jumps, hurdles and sprints, he added.

Mr Singh said that British coach's wife Dr Jean Cruickshank, PhD is a well known psychologist and she would also be involved in the coaching camp. She would to devote sessions on principles of learning and teachings and would explain confidence building methods, rectification of faults, development and positive thinking, he added.

UNI