SAI doesn’t want Anju’s husband as coach at its Bengaluru facility

Sabi Hussain

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Tribune News Service

New Delhi, June 19

The Sports Authority of India (SAI) has shot down the application of Robert George, the husband of Anju Bobby George, for the head coach's position at SAI's Athletics Academy in Bengaluru on the grounds that he hasn't produced a single track and field champion athlete other than his wife.

SAI also expressed surprise at the hefty package, Rs 2 lakh per month, George has demanded. George's name was proposed for the position by none other than Anju, who credited him with “shaping my career” and lauded his efforts in transforming her into a champion athlete. George, too, listed out his wife's achievements at the international tournaments in his application to strengthen his claim.

However, SAI doesn't seem much convinced with his claims and credentials. “The job is high-profile. It involves unearthing talent athletes and transforming them into medal winners. To get this position, one should have produced champion athletes on a regular basis. That's not the case with George. Which other athlete apart from Anju has he produced?” asked a SAI official. “Besides, he's demanding Rs 2 lakh per month. SAI doesn't pay this amount even to its national coaches, barring a few elite ones.” 

“Moreover, Anju's performance slipped after George became her coach after their marriage. From jumping 6.83m at the 2004 Athens Olympics, she slipped to 6.28m during the 2007 season. So, what are the grounds to consider George's application? SAI doesn't consider him good enough to become the coach of the athletics academy.”

Conflict of interest 

SAI also sees a potential conflict of interest if George gets the position. Anju is one of the government-appointed national observers for athletics, and an executive member of the Khelo India project. “As a national observer, she could get influenced by her husband's decision to select a particular athlete for the national camp or provide him/her with financial grant... There could be more instances of conflict of interest, so SAI isn't in favour of appointing him,” the official said.