The Indian government, through the Sports Authority of India’s (SAI) Mission Olympic Cell (MOC), is making a significant investment in athletes’ training for the upcoming Paris Olympics. According to official data, a whopping ₹470 crore has been allocated to train 118 Indian athletes participating in 16 different disciplines.
Neeraj Chopra & PV Sindhu the major beneficiaries?
Athletics received the largest share of the funding, with Rs. 96.08 crore dedicated to training camps, overseas tours, and athlete development. The major hopes will undoubtedly rely on the shoulders of Neeraj Chopra, whose gold medal-winning exploits in Tokyo three years ago also had a major ripple effect with athletics being the most heavily invested sport by India’s ministry of sports.
Apart from this, badminton received ₹72.02 crore. The likes of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy-Chirag Shetty and two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu will do their best to etch their name in history books once again.
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From Rs 5.38 crore to Rs 470 crores?
The allocation of almost Rs 500 crores represents a massive increase of nearly a staggering 1,685% compared to the previous Olympic cycle’s allocation of a mere ₹5.38 crore under the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS). This significant boost goes to show the government’s confidence in the potential of Indian contingent.
| Discipline | Allocated Budget by SAI |
|---|---|
| Athletics | Rs. 96.08 crore |
| Badminton | Rs. 72.02 crore |
| Boxing | Rs. 60.93 crore |
| Shooting | Rs. 60.42 crore |
| Hockey | Rs. 41.29 crore |
| Archery | Rs. 39.18 crore |
| Wrestling | Rs. 37.80 crore |
| Weightlifting | Rs. 26.98 crore |
| Tennis | Rs. 4 crore (Approx) |
| Golf | Rs. 4 crore (Approx) |
| Sailing | Rs. 4 crore (Approx) |
| Rowing | Rs. 4 crore (Approx) |
| Swimming | Rs. 4 crore (Approx) |
| Equestrian | Rs. 95 Lakhs |
This substantial financial backing is a significant step forward for Indian sports. With these increased resources, athletes like star javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra and two-time Olympic medalist PV Sindhu can focus on their training with renewed determination. The Paris Olympics promise to be a thrilling spectacle, and with this level of support, Indian athletes are well-equipped to bring home a record-breaking medal haul and etch their names in Olympic history. The nation is behind them, cheering every step of the way!
