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The debate over the necessity of personal coaches for athletes at global events has resurfaced, with Olympic medalist Vijender Singh expressing his support for athletes’ right to choose their own support staff.

Vijender, a former boxer and current politician, believes that athletes should have the freedom to select the coaches and sparring partners they feel most comfortable with. He cites his own experience as an amateur boxer, where he was given full autonomy in this regard and achieved significant success.

“When I used to box, we were given full freedom in this aspect. So we got the coaches and the sparring partners we wanted,” Vijender said. “They (authorities) said ‘we’ll give you what you want but we need the performance’. And we delivered.”

Vijender’s comments come amidst a trend of Indian athletes opting to bring their personal coaches to the Paris Olympics, despite the presence of national coaches. This has sparked a debate about whether such an arrangement is necessary.

Vijender argues that fulfilling the demands of athletes in training camps is crucial for their performance. He points to the fact that between 2006 and 2012, when he was given the freedom to choose his own support staff, he achieved remarkable results.

The Olympic contingent in Paris includes 140 support staff, with 72 being fully funded by the Indian government. This number largely comprises personal coaches requested by the athletes.

Vijender also highlights the role of social media in empowering athletes to voice their concerns. He believes that platforms like Instagram and Facebook allow athletes to share their experiences and seek support from the public.

“We didn’t have that power. There was no social media then. Social media is a huge power in the hands of the common man today. You can write about your problems on Instagram, Facebook, and people who are good they end up helping you,” he said.