145;Put pride and country before everything else146;

AFI and athletes need to change track and fast, says the legendary Milkha Singh

He is on cloud nine after his son Jeev8217;s strings of victory, including the one on the Japanese Tour last week. But ask Milkha Singh about the current state of our athletics squad that is set to participate at Doha, he goes into silence for a while before opening up.

Barring the likes of Anju Booby George, thrower Krishan Punia and the women8217;s relay teams, he says, the picture is bleak. 8220;Our past performances in athletics may not be the best, but if you compare the current crop of runners they are miles apart,8221; says the legend.

The 8216;Flying Sikh8217; says in his days athletes put country and pride before everything else but today athletes only care about 8220;money and fame.8221; In his view India can be a big powerhouse in athletics provided the federation adopts the 8220;hire-and-fire8221; policy. Explaining further, he said coaches have to be made accountable and if they are not able to produce results they should be chuked out.

While stressing on the need for state-of-the-art stadium and other facilities, Milkha Singh said ultimately we have to win medals. 8220;What is the point having the best of stadiums but not able to win medals?8221; he asked.

8220;I have talked to Suresh Kalmadi and Lalit Bhanot and told them this. I also also suggested to them that they should start training athletes at least four-five years ahead of an international tournament. This will assure the athletes the right the kind of exposure like the one in China,8221; he said.

8220;I have been repeatedly saying that if our own federations find it hard to handle it then they should pass it on to the army. I myself achieved such greatness due the army. Another example is double trap shooter Rajyavardhan Rathore.8221;

There was a time when India had the best quarter-milers in Asia, including Milkha. But today there is a drought of talent in the 400m pool of athletes. 8220;This is not just in 400 metres. We don8217;t have runners in 100m or 200m as well. The problem is the same. We need better coaches and there needs to be fire in the players8217;s belly to perform for the country. We need to change our track and fast before it8217;s too late,8221; he adds.