London: Indian rowing coach Ismail Baig has realistic expectations from his wards in the upcoming Olympics and feels it will be a big achievement if the three-member team finishes among the first 15 in the Single Scull event.
"I am not going to make big promises and I think that making it to the second round in both the events - singles and doubles sculls - will be a good showing by our rowers and then we can think of next round," he said while on a visit to the Games Village.
The rowing events are slated to be held at Eaton Dorney - about 36 km from London - and the rowers took time off from their hectic schedule to come over to a place which is "bustling with excitement and life".
"We have been training at Eaton Dorney for some time, but it gets very lonely out there, so we decided for a quick visit to the Olympic village, just for a change," said the tall Hyderabadi.
The three-member team comprises Swaran Singh (singles sculls) and Manjit Singh and Sandeep Kumar (doubles sculls).
"It is better to be transparent and clear about team's chance. There is no use of making tall claims just to keep people in good humour. I know it is very difficult for our rowers to be among the podium finishers. However, nothing is impossible in sports," he said.
In singles sculls, in which Swaran Singh will participate, 33 rowers are taking part, while in the doubles sculls, the field comprises 22 rowers.
"If all three of them make it to the quarter-finals, this in itself will be a good showing," he said. "In singles sculls, a top-six finish in the heats will enable Swaran to qualify for the quarter-finals [first 18 and six best losers]. In case of doubles sculls, first 12 teams will go into the next round," he explained.
Baig, who has been with the rowing team for 11 years in various capacities, is participating in his third straight Olympics. Under him in the last Asian Games, Indian rowers gave one of their best performances winning nine medals, including one gold and five silver.
"Three of our rowers made the cut at the Asian Continental Championship in South Korea in April. Swaran finished first to claim gold in that Championship in singles sculls and booked the ticket for London. Sandeep and Manjit made it in doubles sculls," he recalled.
The event is scheduled to be held from July 28 to August 4. In both the events, rowers have to engage in a 2-km race to qualify for the next round.
"I think if Swaran clocks around 7 minutes and doubles sculls duo time around 6 minutes 30 seconds, they can hope to be among the quarter-finalists," he said.
Baig said the Indian rowing standard has improved. "In Beijing and now in London, we have a three-member team. In Athens we had only one rower to represent the country while in Sydney we had two rowers for one event," he said.
In Beijing, Manjit Singh, in singles sculls, had finished 18th which was a good showing. For Swaran Singh and Sandeep Kumar this is their first Olympics.
Baig said New Zealand, England, Czech Republic, Germany and Britain are tough competitors in singles sculls while in doubles sculls England, New Zealand and Denmark are top medal contenders.
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