ASIAN GAMES: Coach-cum-father flies back from Singapore; unable to buy new boards, GETS one on SHORT lease n SAG EXECUTIVE director says DUE PROCESS NEEDS TO BE FOLLOWED; BLAMES IT ON CENTRE FOR support, equipment
BASIL SYLVESTER PINTO
PANAJI
A day after leaving for Singapore in search of new sailing equipment, coach-cum-father of the Coelho siblings Donald returned to Jakarta, but was unable to buy new boards for Dayne and Katya.
He, however, opted to lease one for the RS:One Mixed Team sailing event at the Asian Games in Jakarta, Indonesia.
“While for Dayne, I bought a sail at USD 700, for Katya I managed to charter on lease one board at USD 800 for all competition days,” the seasoned windsurfer said. If at all, he was to consider himself fortunate, Coelho revealed that he is thankful his visa was valid until 2019 that allowed him to go to Singapore at a cost of almost Rs 15,000.
With financial backing not being expedited back in the State, the three-time National Windsurfing Champion, who is the Indian team coach, had to run (nay, fly) from pillar to post on Monday to alleviate the issues to the plight of Goa’s star siblings.
“I had flown to Singapore on Monday to buy a sail. Six months back, I had bought another one. When you look at a competitive level like the Asian Games, I would prefer a brand new sail and as of now, only one sail was available,” Donald lamented.
“They began training here on August 4. Today (Tuesday), Dayne trained with the new sail. Basically it takes about a week for a sail to take its shape and pattern,” explained Donald. “It has to be kept in mind that the RS:One category Youth U-22 that they will participate in, has its registration tomorrow (Wednesday), while the practice race is on the 23rd and the first day of racing is on 24th.
Overall it is a compilation of 15 races,” he added. With burning holes in his pockets, the old pro is uncertain that the category his wards are participating in would continue. “The new boards are being launched. So it is likely that this brand may get discontinued,” he said. What more, with his remedial action trip to Singapore, his team lost invaluable practice time. “They lost a day’s training. They are out for almost three hours, from 12 noon to 3 pm at the peak of the scorching heat. They need to be given water and stuff while out at sea at
