Milkha Singh with Tata Steel managing director B. Muthuraman at the Beldih golf course. Picture by Uma Shankar Dubey

Jamshedpur, Dec. 19: After teeing off at the sylvan greens of the Beldih golf course during the Tata Open pro-am golf tournament two days ago, Flying Sikh Milkha Singh riveted his attention to athletics.

Milkha persuaded Tata Steel managing director B. Muthuraman to set up an athletics academy in the city.

“Jamshedpur is known for its sports infrastructure and committed sportsmen. There is a need for an athletics academy here. I have spoken to Muthuraman about the importance of opening an athletics academy. He has promised that he will push for an academy in the steel city,” Milkha, who is in the city, along with his wife, as the guest of the steel major for the golf tourney, told The Telegraph.

Looking a wee bit tired after his stint at the Beldih and Golmuri golf courses, 73-year-old Milkha added that he had a detailed discussion with Muthuraman.

“The proposed academy could be for various events, including 100, 200 and 400 metres. The modalities have to be first worked out before going ahead with the plan,” he said.

“I told Muthuraman that I would be back in the city once the academy is set up. Tata Steel is a great promoter of sports and it has the capability of setting up sports academies. If there can be academies of football and archery, why not athletics,” he said. Milkha, who is fond of golf, said he has come here on personal invitation from the Tata Steel chief executive.

The man who created a world record in 400 metres in 1960 Rome Olympics visited the Tata Steel sports department for a chat with the cadets of sports training centres.