Boxer Manoj, rower Bajrang among Olympians applying for SAI's coaching course

Former Commonwealth Games champion boxer Maj Kumar and three-time Asi medallist rower Bajrang Lal Takhar are among 33 sportspersons who have applied for Sports Authority of India's (SAI) coaching diploma course after a revamp of selection criteria.

For acemic year 2020-21, in which Olympians will get direct mission at NIS Patiala without having to go through mandatory entrance exam, SAI has received applications from Bajrang, Maj, Kunhu Muhammed (athletics) and Poonam Rani (hockey) among ors.

All of m are Olympians. While Maj, who claimed his CWG gold in 2010, is also a multiple-time continental medallist, Bajrang is a three-time Asian Games medallist. course is due to start in mid-October. 

"As many as 33 eminent sports personalities across 15 sports disciplines have applied for direct mission for diploma course in Sports Coaching at Netaji Subhash National Institute of Sports (NSNIS) Patiala," a SAI statement re.

"y ( Olympians), along with or sportspersons, have applied for diploma course under A (1) Direct mission category and hence are exempted from online test," it ded.

Earlier in May, SAI h stated that 46 eminent athletes (1 male, 1 female coach in each discipline) across 23 sports, will get direct mission to flagship course.

Muhammed is a 2017 Asian champion in 4x400m event, besides being an Asi silver-winner. Rani was part of 2014 Asian Games bronze-winning Indian team. 

" criteria of winning a gold medal in Asian or Commonwealth Games also has been replaced by winning a medal -- gold, silver or bronze -- in eir of events. Elite athletes who have participated in Olympics are automatically qualified to apply for course," SAI statement said.

Besides, SAI has collaborated with National Testing ncy (NTA) in order to conduct first-ever online entrance exam (for acemic session 2020-21) at 17 NTA centres to be held on September 12 across country.

SAI also increased number of seats from 566 to 725 in redrawn mission process, which has been approved by National Institute of Sports' (NIS) acemic council. 

Im credits: PTI