AFI High-Performance Director Herrmann resigns
New Delhi, November 22
Volker Herrmann, the Athletics Federation of India (AAI) High-Performance Director whose contract had been extended by the Sports Ministry until the end of the 2024 Olympics, has resigned from his post. Herrmann has declared that he “could no longer meet the self-imposed expectations coming along with the role.”
An AFI source confirmed that Herrmann resigned a few weeks ago but said he did not give any “specific reason”. The German was appointed to the post in June 2019 for a term till the end of the Tokyo Olympics, postponed to 2021. In September, the Sports Ministry extended his contract till the end of the 2024 Olympics but AFI sources said he did not sign the new contract.
“After one-and-a-half fruitful and inspiring years in India, the day has come when I could not any longer meet the self-imposed expectations coming along with the role of AFI’s high-performance director, which is why I resigned from my position three weeks ago,” Herrmann wrote on social media.
“Working in high-performance sports requires a high level of expectations. Numerous athletes and teams all around the world, supported by their coaches and staff, are competing with the one goal to be the best at a particular date. The only one will succeed,” he wrote. Herrmann said athletics in India has a great future. “It requires a conducive and likewise sustainable infrastructure to support its countless talented athletes and coaches. It also needs players with a strong, confident, and independent mindset to succeed at the world stage,” he added.
An AFI source said the federation tried to persuade Herrmann not to quit but to no avail. “He did not give any reason. He wanted to leave and go back (home). AFI tried to stop him till the Olympics but he told him he has decided to go back,” the source said.”Otherwise, there is no problem between him and the AFI and the SAI.”
Herrmann said his stint in India “has enriched” his life in many ways and “makes me look back on a very positive note”. “I might change my perspective but I am still looking forward to watch the further development of our athletes and coaches and their coming successes,” he said.
Herrmann was the second High-Performance Director for AAI, after a short stint by American Derek Boosey, a 1968 Mexico City Olympian, who was appointed in October 2015 ahead of the Rio Olympics but resigned after seven months in charge. — PTI
