New Delhi: In a major embarrassment to the Boxing Federation of India (BFI) and SAI, India’s first ever foreign coach for women boxers – Stephane Cottalorda – has resigned within a month of taking over, complaining of delay in salary payment and lack of professionalism in the national body.
The 41-year-old Frenchman, who took over in August, emailed his resignation Thursday to the BFI and said that he could no longer wait for the fulfillment of promises made to him.
“I think I have been patient enough, it’s been a week since I returned to France. None of you would take the risk of crossing the earth with his family by not having any guarantee on his future. None of you would agree to work without wage guarantee and/or with delays,” Cottalorda wrote in a strongly-worded resignation, a copy of which is with this agency.
Cottalorda alleged that he repeatedly communicated his concerns to the federation, which did not act on them.
“Despite my e-mails and requests, I note that I still have not received all my salary for the month of August. In addition, I have no accommodation or any guarantee concerning this one as well as the payment of the expenses.
“For all these reasons, which testify to a lack of professionalism and seriousness, I would not return to India anymore. Nevertheless, I wish you good results at the Asian Championships,” added the Frenchman.
The federation, on its part, said most of Cottalorda’s demands have been met and they would try and persuade him to come back.
“Seventy per cent of his salary has already been paid, his house agreement has been worked out. We have met most of his demands and we will try to talk him into taking back his decision,” a top BFI official stated.
“The problem lay in the delay in getting a PAN card for him, which in turn delayed the payments. We tried explaining to him that it was a procedural issue but he was not accustomed to such delays,” the official added.
When asked if he would be open to reconsidering his decision, Cottalorda said, “I do not have any confidence in the system. I must do what is best for my family.”
He also asserted that he might come to India during the Youth World Championships in Guwahati, but with the French team.
Mary Kom shocked
New Delhi: Woman boxer MC Mary Kom said Thursday that coach Stephane Cottalorda’s resignation has left her shocked and she would try to convince him on reconsidering it. “It is very disappointing and I am quite shocked. I can only say that he had been an excellent addition to the camp,” Mary Kom said. “It was our responsibility to take care of his requirements. I will personally try to convince him on coming back,” said the boxer, who is also a government observer for the sport.
press trust of india