Neerajs former coach Bartonietz takes up a brand new problem in India

Slow-and-steady: Bartonietz stated children want a 12 months for basic preparation earlier than beginning event-specific coaching. | Photo Credit: IIS

Coming on as a advisor with JSW’s Inspire Institute of Sports, Bartonietz held a week-long coaching camp at its academy in Hisar, working with upcoming expertise together with the likes of Jyoti — India’s finest thrower after Annu Rani for the time being — South Asian under-20 gold medallist Deepika and 18-year outdated Manpreet Singh, who skilled in South Africa earlier this 12 months.

The searing warmth within the area has been a non-issue for the 76-year-old. “It is nice, the warmth, chilly is just not good for coaching,” he quipped.

“I’m retired as a full-time, accountable coach. I would like extra time for household in Germany, daughter with grandchildren in Australia. But I requested Manisha Malhotra, and she or he had the thought to carry me in to help the coaches and athletes right here in Hisar, the place they’re constructing a centre for throwers,” Bartonietz stated in an unique interplay with The Hindu on Wednesday.

The plan

He defined that the plan was to go to a number of instances a 12 months, for seven to 10 days, holding quick camps and monitoring athletes’ progress. “It was for every week now, perhaps subsequent time in July for 2 weeks.

“I will even be going across the village of Bangaon, the place the javelin throwers live within the Javelin Academy. I used to be important, nevertheless it’s a college with a extremely robust javelin centre, superb expertise. And they prepare onerous,” Bartonietz added.

The Bangaon academy in Haryana’s Fatehabad district, began and run by coach Hanuman Singh, has the excellence of holding the National document in girls’s javelin in all ages group besides the senior degree.

Bartonietz additionally insisted that whereas the hype after Neeraj’s Olympic gold noticed curiosity spiking in javelin throw, a well-defined plan was important to transform the potential into leads to the long run.

Relearning counterproductive

“It wants correct studying, a correct programme from the grassroots beginning with children, newest by 10-12 years, throwing javelins and studying to throw correctly in order that relearning is just not obligatory. Re-learning any method may be very counterproductive; it takes time and, normally, doesn’t occur. Then they aren’t utilizing their full potential and are susceptible to accidents.

“What we additionally don’t need is dashing into success. The athletes, coaches, administration, and everyone seems to be asking for medals and outcomes in all places on this planet. You want to offer them time to develop – these children want a 12 months for basic preparation earlier than they’ll begin into event-specific coaching,” he defined.

And sure, he did congratulate Neeraj after his current 90m throw on the Doha Diamond League and was visibly pleased with his ward. “I used to be in flight throughout the competitors, after which we received busy right here, however I noticed it later and messaged him. Nothing particular, simply congratulations, now that the mark is breached, preserve going.

“I felt proud for Neeraj that he lastly did it. And being positive that it’s not the one one. Some athletes do it solely as soon as in life, then wrestle on a regular basis. But for him, that is only a cease on the way in which to greater issues, it’s the start of the season. We should plan to fulfill when he’s in Europe… let’s see,” he signed off.

Published – May 21, 2025 10:37 pm IST