Archery coach who led India to Olympic quota threatens to quit over unpaid salary
Indian compound archers made history at the Asian Games by becoming the first nation to secure an Olympic quota in the discipline, but the foreign coach who guided them to the milestone is still awaiting his salary more than three months after taking charge.
American Dave Cousins, who was appointed India’s head coach in May, was learned to have “threatened to quit and leave the country” if his outstanding dues were not settled.
Archery Association of India Treasurer Dr. However, Joris Paulose Ummacheril and a Sports Authority of India official said the payment was delayed due to a “technical issue” which had since been “resolved” and the fees would be “cleared in a few days”.
Cousins helped India win three gold and one bronze medal at the Asian Games, contributing to a historic tally of five golds, two silvers and two bronzes in archery and combined archery.
“He spoke to some officials and said that if the dues are not paid, he is leaving home. He is really unhappy with the way he has been treated for three months… he has not been paid yet,” sources claimed.
Meanwhile, the federation is in talks with South Korea’s Park Chae-soon to take over India’s recurve program ahead of LA 2028, with the multiple Olympic champion coach expected to join by December.
Park was part of South Korea’s golden era, coaching the women’s team at the 2012 London Olympics and the men’s team at Rio 2016 before becoming the overall head coach of the national team at the Tokyo Olympics.
As Indian archers build momentum towards LA 2028, the delay in paying a coach who has already helped secure a historic Olympics has raised questions.
AAI, SAI, SAY PROBLEM SOLVED
Ummacheril acknowledged the delay but said the issue had been resolved and the payment would be cleared soon.
“There was some issue with the Sports Authority of India (SAI) so the payment was delayed. But everything has been resolved and it will be paid within two days,” Joris told PTI.
An SAI official in New Delhi also attributed the delay to a technical problem with the bank and said the matter was being processed.
“We have already spoken to him and assured him that the payment is in progress. Due to a technical issue with the bank, it has been delayed and should be done within a few days,” the official said.
The delay comes at a crucial time for Indian archery, where Cousins has helped deliver results despite taking on his first international coaching assignment after a distinguished competitive career.
The 49-year-old American, a former world number one who won the archery world title in 1999 and 2003, has been entrusted with the responsibility of building India’s composite program ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, where the mixed team event will make its debut.
He stepped into the role after the departure of Sergio Pagni, under whom India swept all five archery gold medals at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou. At the recent Asian Games, Cousins helped lead a relatively new group that faced questions about its ability to serve at the highest level.
The biggest breakthrough came from the unusual mixed team pair of Sahil Jadhav and Chikitha Taniparthi, who stunned South Korea in a shootout after the final was tied 157-157 in four ends.
Their gold also secured India its first Olympic quota in compound archery. Cousins also guided 18-year-old Prithika Pradeep to her first World Cup bronze on the Madrid stage in Spain.
Reflecting on India’s Asian Games campaign, Cousins said the focus was always on preparation rather than medal predictions.
“The only thing we’ve been willing to commit to is that our athletes will go prepared and execute the process to the best of their ability,” he said.
“When the training is right, the preparation is right, and the ecosystem is right, these are the results you get. We’re exceptionally happy to be able to get the first place ever for archery at the Olympics. That’s a huge thing for us right now.”
– The end