Carl Lewis to train Kerala athletes in Texas

By Staff
|
Google Oneindia News

Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 7 (UNI) With an eye on Beijing Olympics, four athletes from Kerala might soon be on their way to Texas to be trained by Olympic track star Carl Lewis, according to Kerala Sports and Youth Affairs Minister M Vijayakumar.

Mr Vijayakumar today said the state government proposed to send four of its athletes to the University of Houston in Texas for training under Carl Lewis.

Talking to mediapersons here, he said the aim of the government was to equip the athletes to win a gold either in 2008 Beijing Olympics or 2012 London Olympics.

Mr Vijayakumar said once the Centre approved the proposal, Kerala would sent the athletes to Houston, he said.

The state government has already discussed the matter with Lewi's private secretary thrice and he submitted a proposal and conditions for training the athletes.

According to the proposal, the athletes would be given long-term training aimed at Beijing and London Olympics.

An initial payment of one million US Dollar should be given as an advance for the project and the total expenditure would be Rs 14 crore.

The proposal was only in a preliminary stage and a final decision would be taken after negotiations with Carl Lewis, he said and hoped the cost could be reduced after discussions with him.

He also said the expenditure could be further reduced by providing training under him in the state itself as it had all facilities for such exercise.

Mr Vijayakumar said the state government had increased cash prizes to those who won medals in the Asian Games.

The minister said the government would honour the Asian Games medal winners here on January nine with cash prizes.

It would also honour cricketer Sreesanth with ten sovereign gold coins, he added.

UNI

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