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Sprint legend Bolt 'improving' in football

September 27, 2018 15:01 IST

'I've got a while to go but with more training and more dedication to my craft I will be fine.'

Usain Bolt

IMAGE: Usain Bolt, right, controls the ball during the pre-season match between the Central Coast Mariners and Central Coast Football in Gosford, Australia. Photograph: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Former Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt, who recently joined Australian A-League club Central Coast Mariners to pursue his dream of playing football, has said that his touch in the game is getting better and he feels like he is steadily improving in football.

The 31-year-old, who is currently attempting to earn a contract with the Mariners, further stated that he is aiming to play as much as he could to hone his skills.

 

"I feel like I am improving. My touch is getting better, I've got a while to go but with more training and more dedication to my craft I will be fine," Sport24 quoted Bolt, as saying.

"Getting more minutes in games is the aim. I think that's the aim for any football player, you want to play as much as you can," he added.

Usain Bolt

IMAGE: Usain Bolt heads the ball towards goal. Photograph: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Bolt had made his debut for the Mariners last month and had appeared again for the club on Tuesday during a friendly match against North Shore Mariners.

Reflecting on his game, Mariners coach Mike Mulvey said that Bolt is showing progress and they are ready to give him twelve more months as he needs time.

"Usain is progressing and that's the main thing. From the outset, we said he needed time, we said we would give him 12 months if need be," Mulvey said.

Usain Bolt

IMAGE: Usain Bolt interacts with fans. Photograph: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Earlier, Bolt had also joined German football club Borussia Dortmund in his build-up to give football a serious try.

The eight-time Olympic gold medallis, who holds the World record for 100m (9.58 seconds), 200m (19.19 seconds) and 4x100m relay (36.84 seconds) events, besides having 11 World Championship titles to his name, retired from athletics following the 2017 World Championships.

Source: ANI