6 hrs ago
India Invests Over Rs 700 Crore for Asian Games Success
India is spending a lot of money to help its athletes prepare for the Asian Games in Japan.
The Sports Ministry has spent more than Rs 702 crore on training, equipment, coaches and experts.
Another Rs 97.84 crore came through the Target Olympic Podium Scheme.
India will send 501 athletes to compete in 36 sports.
Of these athletes, 310 will be competing in their events at the Asian Games for the first time.
Many young athletes are part of the team, including 65 who came through the Khelo India system.
The team will also include doctors, physiotherapists and mental health experts.
India hopes to win at least as many medals as it did in Hangzhou, where it won 106.
The Sports Ministry spent Rs 702.86 crore on athlete training, equipment, coaches and experts over the past three years.
The Target Olympic Podium Scheme added Rs 97.84 crore to preparations, including support for sports science and athlete services.
India’s Aichi-Nagoya contingent includes 501 athletes, 310 of them event debutants, across 36 disciplines.
International competition exposure received the largest allocation at Rs 251.4 crore, followed by Rs 118.3 crore for domestic training.
India aims to match or exceed its record 106-medal haul from the Hangzhou edition, despite administrative and selection challenges.
- Who
- India’s Sports Ministry, the Target Olympic Podium Scheme, and a 501-athlete Indian contingent.
- What
- India has invested more than Rs 700 crore to prepare athletes for the Asian Games and improve its medal prospects.
- Where
- The Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games in Japan.
- When
- The Games begin on September 19; the ministry said the spending covered the previous three years.
- Why
- To provide training, equipment, competition exposure, coaches and specialist support so India can match or exceed its 106-medal haul from Hangzhou.
Key facts
- Ministry spending
- Rs 702.86 crore through the Annual Competition and Training Calendar
- TOPS funding
- Rs 97.84 crore
- International exposure
- Rs 251.4 crore
- Domestic training
- Rs 118.3 crore
- Athlete contingent
- 501 athletes: 267 men and 234 women
- Event debutants
- 310 athletes
- Previous medal tally
- 106 medals in the Hangzhou edition
- Support staff
- 265, including 56 women
Quotes
N S Johal
CEO of India’s Target Olympic Podium Scheme
“There is good momentum across disciplines and the contingent features a lot of debutants which is as TOPS CEO, a very proud thing for me. The gestation period in sport is high and when young athletes are able to enter the top level early, it is a very good sign for the future.”
rediff.com
“Since January this year, we have had nine coordination meetings of the Target Asian Games Group and the whole effort has been to provide athletes with the best possible environment despite the administrative challenges posed by issues in various federations.”
rediff.com
Sources
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