Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, April 25: Former Orissa and a legend in Orissa rowing, Dronacharya coach Jose Jacob will start his new assignment May 2 as the head coach of rowers at the SAI centre in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.
Jacob, who had helped Orissa rowers win an astounding 279 medals during his 16-year-old long career at the Jagatpur SAI Water Sports Centre had told Orissa Post, February 23, that he was contemplating moving elsewhere as he ‘did not get the recognition he deserved’ from the Orissa government.
But when contacted over Monday over phone Jacob was keen to downplay his frustrations. “I wanted to come back to my hometown. I have been away too long… staying away from home takes its toll. Now I will continue my work with the Kerala rowers,” he stated. “I will be staying with my family and will be able to take good care of them.”
Jacob may try hard to hide his feeling, but the crux of the matter is that he could not hide the disgust at the behaviour which had been meted out to him and resigned March 23. He had then said that the apathy of the state government towards rowing as a sport and him had forced him to ‘move out elsewhere’.
Jacob had then said: “The Orissa government has done nothing for rowing, they didn’t even congratulate me when I got the Dronacharya award while officials from the Kerala government have sent me numerous messages and wishes.”
Jacob was also unhappy about the facilities at Jagatpur. He had constantly been harping that the lack of modern equipment like boats, oars were harming the Orissa
rowers.
Assistant director, sports and youth affairs Akhila Bihari Das feigned ignorance about Jacob’s departure. “He is an employee of SAI. So we have no idea about his appointment, salary and responsibility. So we cannot comment anything on the issue,” Das stated.
But then when has any official really cared about sports anyway!