The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) has shortlisted five coaches for India’s next chief coach position. The selection follows the retirement of current chief coach Radhakrishnan Nair after 10 years in the role.

In July, the AFI published its Chief Coach Recruitment Notice on its official website. The notice outlined several essential qualifications for the position.

These include:

  • Recognised coaching certification: Candidates must hold a World Athletics Level 3 CECS (new curriculum), Level 4 CECS (previous curriculum), or an equivalent qualification.
  • Coaching experience: Applicants must have at least 15 years of coaching experience. This must include five years at the elite international level.
  • Athlete development: Candidates must have a proven record of producing athletes who excel at major international championships.
  • Leadership skills: Excellent leadership, communication, planning, and team-management skills are also essential.

According to sources, the national federation has shortlisted five coaches. The candidates are Parveer Singh, Rajmohan MK, Ajith Markose, Mohammed Kunhi, and Robert Bobby George.

Here is NNIS Sports’ profile of the five contenders and their achievements.

1. Parveer Singh

Dronacharya Awardee Parveer Singh is best known for coaching India’s elite throwers. His athletes include Seema Punia, Krishna Punia, Tajinderpal Singh Toor, and Annu Rani, among others.

Parveer works at NIS Patiala, one of India’s major training hubs for elite throwers. The centre has also trained Olympic and World champion Neeraj Chopra.

Furthermore, Parveer has led several national training camps at NIS Patiala. His experience with elite throwers has made him a frontrunner for the chief coach position.

2. Rajmohan MK

Rajmohan MK is an Indian Air Force coach from Kerala. He is widely known for his work in India’s 400m programme.

Currently, he manages the Indian 400m camp at the NCOE in Thiruvananthapuram. He also served as an assistant coach under Jason Dawson.

Rajmohan worked with the Indian men’s 4x400m relay team during its historic performance at the 2023 World Athletics Championships. Moreover, several elite athletes have trained under him.

These athletes include Amoj Jacob and Rajesh Ramesh.

3. Robert Bobby George

Robert Bobby George is widely regarded as one of India’s most experienced and knowledgeable athletics coaches.

He famously coached Anju Bobby George to India’s first-ever World Athletics Championships medal. She won bronze in the long jump with a distance of 6.70m in 2003.

Currently, Robert runs the Anju Bobby George Academy in Bengaluru. The training centre has produced several promising athletes.

One of its notable athletes is Shaili Singh, the current U20 long jump national record holder.

4. Mohammed Kunhi

Mohammed Kunhi is a former long-serving national 400m coach. Throughout his career, he has worked with several prominent Indian athletes.

His athletes include Arokia Rajiv and former 400m national record holder Mohammed Anas.

Additionally, Kunhi has international coaching experience. He previously worked as Thailand’s national 400m coach.

5. Ajith Markose

Ajith Markose is the brother of Anju Bobby George. He currently works as a middle- and long-distance running coach at the Reliance Foundation.

Among the five contenders, Ajith is one of the youngest candidates in the race for the chief coach position.

Despite his relatively young age, he has worked with several elite distance runners. These include current 800m national record holder Mohammed Afsal and marathon national record holder Sawan Barwal, among others.