Miffed with Judo body, foreign coach quits

Peeved with the functioning of the Judo Federation of India (JFI), Josef Czak, the Hungarian coach, has quit the national camp, close to the Olympic qualification tournaments. Navneet Singh reports.

Peeved with the functioning of the Judo Federation of India (JFI), Josef Czak, the Hungarian coach, has quit the national camp, close to the Olympic qualification tournaments.

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His absence, says a top judoka, would dampen the spirit of the players, who are eyeing a passage to the London Olympic Games.

Czak, according to sources, wanted a say in holding the national camp at a particularly venue. "He also wanted more exposure trips so that the top players could get better sparring partners," said a player in the camp.

Denying the allegations, JFI secretary general, Mukesh Kumar, said: "We are open to ideas, but the coach can't dictate terms."

He also ruled out differences with the coach. "He (Czak) had some family problems, and hence, wanted to go back home."

Czak was responsible for resurrecting the sport in the country for the past two years, and his non-appearance would be felt by the four-member team participating at the Grand Slam tournament in Paris (starting from February 12).

"Given his experience (Czak won a silver medal in the below-66kg at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics), he has always helped players in the camp," said an international judoka who had seen him.

India also reaped a rich haul of 18 medals, including 13 gold, at the Singapore edition of the Commonwealth Judo Championships in 2010.