India’s archers had high hopes entering the Paris Olympics, with a top SAI official predicting “2-3 medals.” However, the team’s campaign ended in disappointment, with all archers failing to reach the podium. Let’s delve into the factors that may have contributed to this outcome.
Archers crash out early
Both Deepika Kumari and Bhajan Kaur were eliminated in the women’s individual quarterfinals. The men’s team, and women’s team also failed to medal. This marks a continuation of India’s struggle to win its first archery medal at the Olympics.
Only the mixed team of India represented by Dhiraj Bommadevara and Ankita Bhakat, gave some hope. The duo reached the bronze medal match but narrowly missed out on third-place finish against United States dynamic duo of Brady Ellison and Casey Kaufhold.
Coaching Controversy ahead of Paris 2024
Just before the Games, a controversy arose regarding the support staff. The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) limited the team to four officials, forcing out Korean chief coach Baek Woong Ki and High Performance Director Sanjeeva Singh. This decision came despite the Archery Association of India’s (AAI) pleas.
‘Tainted’ Physio included
In Woong Ki’s place, physiotherapist Arvind Yadav was included in the contingent. Arvind Yadav faced accusations of misconduct from the previous year, which the AAI allegedly dismissed. The AAI claimed Yadav was “close” to the federation’s secretary general, raising questions about his selection as per TOI.
AAI Blames IOA for accreditation Fiasco
The AAI criticized the IOA for rejecting their requests to accommodate Sanjeeva Singh and Baek Woong Ki. The AAI argued that the IOA-approved medical team was sufficient and that the additional officials were crucial for the archers’ success.
Former AAI official Anil Kamineni stated the IOA follows a quota system and couldn’t accommodate another coach. He urged everyone at that time to focus on future performance.
Pre-Olympic Optimism dashed
Sanjeeva Singh, a former Olympian and High Performance Director at SAI, had predicted 2-3 medals for India in an interview with Olympics.com. He emphasized the team’s excellent preparation and highlighted their success at the World Cup. However, these optimistic predictions did not translate into Olympic glory.
Indian Archery woes continue
Key Issues
- Consistent Underperformance: India’s archery team has a history of underperforming at the Olympics, with multiple quarterfinal exits but no medals.
- Deepika Kumari’s Struggles: Despite being a veteran, Deepika Kumari has consistently failed to deliver at the Olympics, often succumbing to pressure.
- Coaching Controversy: The removal of Korean coach Baek Woong Ki and the inclusion of physiotherapist Arvind Yadav amidst allegations of misconduct has raised questions about the team’s preparation.
- Lack of Medal-Winning Mentality: The Indian archers have shown potential but lack the killer instinct to convert near-misses into medals.
- Questionable Coaching Decisions: The continued employment of coach Purnima Mahato despite a lack of results raises concerns about the selection process.
Need for Change
To address these issues, the Indian archery team requires a comprehensive overhaul. This includes:
- Performance Analysis: A thorough evaluation of past performances to identify recurring problems.
- Coaching Overhaul: Reconsidering the coaching staff, including the role of Purnima Mahato.
- Mental Conditioning: Implementing stronger mental training programs to help archers handle pressure.
- Improved Infrastructure: Investing in world-class training facilities and equipment.
- Clearer Selection Criteria: Establishing transparent selection processes to ensure the best talent represents India.
Unless these steps are taken, India’s archery team will continue to struggle on the world stage.
Unanswered Questions
The Indian archery team’s disappointing performance raises several questions. Did the coaching controversy disrupt the team’s focus? Was the inclusion of Yadav a wise decision? Could the IOA have been more flexible with accreditation?
A thorough review is needed to understand the factors that contributed to India’s archery woes at the Paris Olympics. Only then can the team move forward and achieve its long-held dream of an Olympic medal.
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