The Sports Authority of India (SAI) has agreed to the appointment of Ukrainian Yuri Ogorodnik as coach of the Indian athletes till 2016 Rio Games provided he proves his fitness by submitting a health certificate.
The Sports Authority of India (SAI) has agreed to the appointment of Ukrainian Yuri Ogorodnik as coach of the Indian athletes till 2016 Rio Games provided he proves his fitness by submitting a health certificate.
dna has learnt that the sports ministry has called for a meeting with the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) officials this week to finalise Ogorodnik's salary and other demands. Once agreed upon by all parties, Ogorodnik will be handed the charge of quarter-miler (women's 400m, 400m hurdles and 4x400m relay) teams.
This paper had reported on December 22, 2014 that the Ukrainian coach, sacked in 2011 after one of India's biggest dope scandals, is likely to be back following the recommendation of top Indian athletes.
"The SAI has asked for an undertaking from the AFI where it needs to take the full responsibility of Yuri's health and expenses incurred on his treatment during his stay in India as the chief foreign coach. This is necessary as, it has been learnt that, the 77-year-old coach has been suffering from an undisclosed illness for some time," a senior SAI official disclosed, adding: "Without this undertaking, the coach's appointment would not be approved by the ministry."
It has been learnt that Ogorodnik did submit a health certificate from a well-known medical practitioner from Ukraine. But top SAI officials are still not convinced by his health status.
"Yuri suffers from an undisclosed disease which could pose a major problem for SAI if we appoint him. Age is not on his side as he is 77 and too old to take up the coaching position," said an official on Tuesday.
That's why SAI is now insisting upon knowing his health details. "The health certificate should have the details of his disease and the treatment he is undergoing," said the official.
It was also learnt that Ogorodnik, during his previous stint in India, had also fallen ill many times at the National Institute of Sports, Patiala. "We're awaiting his response. We don't have any problem with his tainted past as the inquiry commission had ruled that Yuri wasn't directly involved. If AFI wants him back on popular demand of athletes, we've no objection to it. But let him first submit a detailed medical certificate," the official added.
In another development, AFI has also approached Yuri Minakova to take charge as the coach of the throw events. Minakova had been earlier attached with Indian athletics eight years back.
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