07 December,2009 08:31 AM IST | | Debarti Palit
Kenyan coach Paul Mutwii feels Indian athletes have the potential but lack the training to make them medal winners
With over 30,000 participants in the Pune International Marathon, and 49 international runners, the first five spots were taken by Kenya in the men's race and six spots bagged by Kenyan women.
The only Indian to reach the top five was Kavita Raut, who made it to the fourth position.
Kenyan coach and Vice-Chairman, Athletics Kenya, Paul Mutwii, who has been with the organisation for almost 30 years, told MiD DAY that India needs skilled trainers. "If we had trained Kavita Raut, I guarantee she would have scored over my girls as she is very talented," Mutwii said.
He added, "Indian trainersu00a0 lack enthusiasm and are not committed to train athletes. Though I have not personally met any one, but looking at the players, one canu00a0 easily make out."
Mutwii said, "The runners back in our country are trained in a planned manner. They have a strict regime and we all work hard. Once a week, we have a full marathon and then half marathons."
He is all praise for the Indian runners and feels that each has the ability to make it at international competitions.
Mutwii recommended that Indian athletics be sent on an exchange program to Kenya for few months.
"Runners from various countries including Thailand, Japan, Britain, Sweden and many others do exchange programs with us and it has helped both of us. I think Indian authorities should think on the same line," said Mutwii.
