Nagpur: The medals won by Abhinav Bindra and Co. at Beijing have created a conducive atmosphere for the development of Olympic sports in the country opined Suresh Kalmadi, president of Indian Olympic Association (IOA). Kalmadi was in city as part of the Youth Baton Rally entourage that visited Nagpur on Wednesday.

“The Olympic medal-winning feat of Abhinav Bindra, Vijender Kumar, and Sushil Kumar has generated awareness about sports among the general public. It has created an atmosphere receptive for other sports,” Kalmadi said.

Talking to the media, Kalmadi expressed confidence of bagging the hosting rights for 2020 Olympic Games. “Successful hosting of Youth Commonwealth Games will lead successful Commonwealth Games (CWG). And successful CWG will give us the Olympic. I have no doubts that we will get to host the 2020 Olympic Games.”

On the controversy regarding the appointment of men’s hockey team coach by the ad-hoc body appointed by the IOA, to look after Indian hockey , Kalmadi said that it’s the job of the selection panel and IOA won’t interfere in the matter.

The ad-hoc body had selected MK Kaushik as the coach of the men’s team. But the coach later declined the post stating he was already committed to the women’s hockey team. “We have constituted a selection panel and they will appoint the coach,” Kalmadi clarified.

Kalmadi also denied that there is a tussle going on between the adhoc body and KPS Gill led group for taking control of the Indian hock ey. “The body headed by Gill has been derecognized by FIH (International Hockey Federation) and other major organisations. We don’t want to run hockey in the country. We just want the right kind of set up for development of the game in the country,” he said.

Thanking Nagpurinas for according a warm welcome to the Youth Baton Relay, Kalmadi promised that the CWG baton Relay will also pass through the city. He also promised to undertake initiatives for tapping the middle-long distance running talents of the city.

“Nagpur has produced many long distance runners of repute in the past. So holding a middle to long distance running coaching camp will certainly help in tapping the talent of the city. I will see to it that such a camp will be held in near future.”