More athletes to join coaching bandwagon

TNN | Aug 6, 2015

BENGALURU: Hockey player Rani Rampal has opened the doors to a new career opportunity for high-profile sportspersons at the Sports Authority of India. At least seven others have been shortlisted and will be roped in as assistant coaches in the future.

In what is seen as a win-win situation for both the athlete and SAI, the assistant coaches will work in various capacities – as a talent scout, coach and mentor of young trainees and a force that would broadbase sport in the grassroots.

SAI, which has roped in Olympians as assistant coaches in the past, saw huge promise in the move.

“We have opened the doors to non-Olympians now. Hockey players such as Rani will serve as huge inspiration to the trainees. They also bring with them the experience of playing at the highest level. Inducting outstanding sportspersons at the entry level will help us raise the profile of Indian coaches in the long run besides giving them an opportunity to shape their professional careers after their playing days are over,” top sources told TOI.

The flexibility that SAI has promised makes the offer hard to refuse. For instance, Rani, who is currently a Group C employee at the Railways, has been offered a job in Group B with a likely monthly pay of around Rs 40,000.She will continue to play for India and devote a few weeks during the off season to grooming young players at the SAI centre where she will be deputed.

Out-of-turn promotions too are possible for Rani depending on her performance besides opportunities to update her knowledge of coaching. “It is a dual hat that players like Rani will wear from now on. They will look at the game from a coach’s point of view while playing, learn as they play and utilise this knowledge when they work with the trainees,” the sources said.