by Ashis Sinha
# Dr. Jaideep Sarkar and Purnima Mahto named Chief Coaches, highlighting State’s Sports Excellence.
In a historic moment for Indian sports, two Jharkhand residents, Dr. Jaideep Sarkar and Purnima Mahato, have been selected as the chief coaches for the Indian Volleyball (Men) team and the Archery (Women) team, respectively, for the 19th edition of the Asian Games (2022-23); hosted in China.
Purnima Mahto, an accomplished Olympian coach affiliated with Tata Steel, adds to her illustrious career by taking up the pivotal role of chief coach for the Indian archery (women) team. Her accolades include numerous national medals and the prestigious Dronacharya Award from the Government of India in recognition of her excellence in archery.
Her achievements also encompass a silver medal earned during the Commonwealth Games of 1998, a testament to her prowess as both an athlete and coach. Purnima’s enduring role as the national coach of the Indian archery squad in international competitions speaks volumes about her commitment to nurturing talent and achieving excellence on the global stage.
Dr Jaideep Sarkar, an international volleyball coach, associated with SAIL, Bokaro Steel Plant (BSL), assumes the significant responsibility of leading the Indian volleyball (men) team.
Dr Jaideep’s contributions to sports have earned him the prestigious UN Commission’s Honorary Doctorate degree in the year 2023. Additionally, he has been recognized as a representative chosen by the International Olympic Committee community, playing a pivotal role in empowering the global Olympic movement.
Beyond coaching, he holds the esteemed positions of General Secretary of the Mongia National Volleyball Academy and Lead Officer of Bokaro, India’s first Global Active Partner City.
Both coaches are scheduled to depart for China in September as per their schedule of events to participate in the upcoming Asian Games.
These appointments exemplify the wealth of coaching talent present in Jharkhand, highlighting the state’s role in nurturing leaders who significantly contribute to the Indian sports landscape.
Dr Jaideep Sarkar and Purnima Mahto’s roles as Chief Coaches not only bring honour to their respective fields but also serve as an inspiration to future generations of Athletes and Coaches.
As they guide the Indian teams at the 2022-23 Asian Games in Hangzhou, their expertise and dedication are poised to leave an indelible mark on the global sporting stage.
Notably, India has previously hosted the Asian Games twice, in 1951 and 1982. The 19th Asian Games (2022) are slated to be held from September 23 to October 8 in Hangzhou, China. Initially scheduled for 2022, the Games were postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and are now scheduled for this year.
The event will feature around 40 sports and 61 disciplines across 54 competition venues in Hangzhou and five co-host cities. While most events of the Asian Games 2023 will commence after the opening ceremony on September 23, certain events such as Cricket, Volleyball and Football are set to begin even before the inauguration ceremony.
The 19th edition of the Asian Games will introduce two new sports – breaking and E-sports – to the programme. Additionally, Cricket, which was last played in the 2010 and 2014 Games, will make a return in China. Chess, which featured in 2006 and 2010, is also making a comeback.
Meanwhile, Paragliding, Pencak Silat, and Sambo, three sports from the 2018 Asian Games, will not be featured in the 2022 edition.
It is worth noting that the total count of gold medals for the Asian Games has reached 481 following the cancellation of two roller skating events.
