Athletes, coaches to spread mats today

A few hundred kilometres away, a bus will reach the Sports Authority of India (SAI) Sonepat Centre around the same time and ferry the wrestlers to the Murthal Engineering College, where they too will indulge in asanas rather than spending time at the akharas.

The boxers and wrestlers aren’t the only ones. They will be joined by approximately 12,000 campers and trainees across SAI centres, including 23 foreign coaches and nearly 40 staff members.

Though not mandatory, all SAI centres have been advised to conduct hour-long sessions to mark the first-ever International Yoga Day.

SAI secretary Hira Ballabh said nine regional centres and 75 other training centres were sent instructions regarding this around 15-20 days ago.

In Dellhi alone, SAI will be conducting sessions at four of its centres: JLN Stadium, Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, Talkatora Stadium and National Stadium.

“We had informed all the centres around 15-20 days ago. There’s no compulsion. There are many athletes who are in national camps and will be busy with their routine. But other trainees are expected to join in,” Ballabh said.

SAI had intimated 25 out of the 39 foreign coaches. However, two of them pulled out citing personal reasons, while the rest will line up alongside hundreds of others at Central Vista. Most of the elite athletes, however, won’t be a part of it.

“The wrestlers had a tiring training session today (Saturday) so I doubt if they will be a part of it. They need to rest as well,” chief coach Kuldeep Singh said. The archers will be making a 30-odd hour journey from Jamshedpur to Patiala while most other elite athletes are competing in various events.

The boxers, however, will be out in force, coach Gurbax Singh Sandhu said. “We usually start our training at 6.15 am and it’s intense. I am sure the boxers will love a relaxed start to the morning tomorrow. Bas aadat na lag jaye. From day after, they will have to return to the rigorous training,” he joked.