SAI appoints 11 Olympians and 3 Paralympians as coaches and assistant coaches

Indian quartermilers Muhammed Anas and Ashwini Akkunji were among the 11 Olympians and three Para Olympians appointed as coaches and assistant coaches by the Sports Authority of India Friday.

The 24-year-old Anas, who won three silver medals at the Jakarta Asian Games, and Ashwini, who claimed gold at the 2010 Commonwealth Games and 2010 Asian Games, along with nine others will join on January 5 next year.

Mariyappan Thangavelu, who won a gold in high jump at Para Olympics 2016, has been offered a Group A post as coach.

"This is our way of acknowledging the contribution made by these sportspersons to the country. We want sportspersons who have represented the country in the most competitive, elite events of the world, to be associated with sports throughout their professional careers and even after they retire," said Neelam Kapur, DG SAI.

"We want to harness their vast experience towards training young, prospective medal winners."