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Commonwealth Games medallists included in SAI’s TOPS project
Shooters, boxers who won medals at the recently-concluded Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, have been included in the Sports Authority of India’s Target Olympic Podium Scheme
Shooters Manu Bhaker and Anish Bhanwala, who won gold medals for India in the recently-concluded Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, have been included in the Sports Authority of India’s exclusive Target Olympic Podium Scheme. The teenaged shooters will receive special government funding.
TOPS is a scheme under National Sports Development Fund of Department of Sports under Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.
The SAI has been quick to react to the performances at Gold Coast and seeks to back the athletes who can win India medals at more competitive international tournaments like the Asian Games and the Olympics.
“We are reviewing with the federations and how they want to use our funds. The athletes with potential need extra support and that’s the reason for including these young shooters and boxers in the TOPS scheme,” said SAI Director General Neelam Kapur.
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Apart from Bhaker and Bhanwala, other shooters to make the TOPS scheme are Mehuli Ghosh, Om Prakash Mitharwal and Shahzar Rizvi. Twenty-three-year-old Rizvi, a Mexico World Cup gold medallist, this week won silver in the 10 meter air pistol event at the ongoing shooting World Cup in Changwon, South Korea.
Two boxers have also been included in the TOPS scheme. Twenty-one-year-old Gaurav Solanki, who won a gold medal in the 52kg flyweight category at Gold Coast, and 24-year-old Hussamuddin Mohammad, who won the 56kg bantamweight bronze, have also been included.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will meet the Gold Coast medal winners on Monday. With 26 gold medals, 20 silver and as many bronze, India finished third behind hosts Australia and England.
