Jharkhand Athletics Association (JAA) president Madhukant Pathak has been named manager of the 26-member Indian athletics squad for the upcoming Tokyo Olympics which is scheduled to begin from July 23.

The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) sent a formal communiqué to this effect to its state unit on Sunday. Besides 26 players, AFI will also send a team of 13 coaches headed by chief coach Radha Krishnan Nair along with eight support staff and two officials.

AFI President Adille J Sumariwalla in a statement said, "We have selected coaches and support staff as per requirement of our athletes who have qualified for the Games."

Pathak, who is also treasurer of AFI, thanked AFI for bestowing him with the responsibility. He said that as the manager of the team, he will have to ensure that the contingent, mainly players, is taken care of in all aspects so that individuals can put up a good show during the Olympics.

“As a manager, my job will be to take care of all technical aspects like attending technical meetings, preparing the athletes for competition, taking them for their dope tests, etc. In a nutshell, I will be the crucial bridge between our athletes, technical officials and the main competition," he explained.

This is not the first time that the athletics coach and official of the Jharkhand outfit has been tasked with international duty. In the past, he was with Indian athletics contingent in previous three Olympics held in Beijing, London and Rio in 2008, 2012 and 2016 respectively.

While none of the Jharkhand athletes could qualify for a place in the Indian squad for this year’s Olympics, Jharkhand will be pinning its hopes on three players, in hockey and archery, to clinch medals at the global stage. Golden girl Deepika Kumar of Ranchi will be the lone representation from India in the individual women recurve category in archery while Nikki Pradhan of Khunti and Salima Tete from Simdega will be part of the national squad in hockey. Salima will be making her Olympics debut, while the other two athletes have represented the country in previous games.

Earlier this month, while interacting with Olympics-bound players of the state, chief minister Hemant Soren had announced cash awards of Rs 2 crore, Rs 1 crore and Rs 75 lakh for players if they won gold, silver or bronze medals, respectively in the Tokyo Olympics.