New Delhi, Jan 22 (UNI) Former tennis great Leander Paes believes that India needs to focus on effective talent scouting, efficient training and implementing sports science in rural areas to develop world-class athletes who could shine at prestigious tournaments like the Olympics.
'I really believe that our Olympic champions are going to come from rural India, they are going to come from tier 2, tier 3 cities, that's where the masses are, that's where the talent is. But unfortunately, they don't have the chance to showcase their talent. If we go to the rural areas of India and take our scouting ability there, to test the talent there, do genetic testing, do physical testing, bone density and muscle density testing, do their mental health testing, in order to give the talent there that doesn't have the opportunity to come to metro cities to get membership of the sports clubs that are expensive- that will make a big difference. And we will be able to produce a lot of world-class talent," he told media at the 'Golf Growth Initiative' event on Thursday at the Delhi Golf Club.
'Golf Growth Initiative' is a joint programme of the Indian Golf Premier League (IGPL), Indian Golf union (IGU), the Professional Golfers' Association of India (PGAI), and The Golf Foundation (TGF) to build the next generation of Indian golfers. Paes is partnering with the initiative.