Few Rio-bound Indian athletes to receive financial aid from Govt

With an eye to enhance India's medal hopes in this year's Rio Olympics, the Sports Ministry has sanctioned financial assistance to boxers Vikas Krishan and Sumit Sangwan, female discuss thrower Seema Antil Punia and shooter Chain Singh.

On Tuesday, the Sports Ministry has approved the financial assistances from the National Sports Development Fund (NSDF).

2010 Asian Games gold medallist boxer Vikas has been provided the financial assistance to avail of the services of a personal psychologist, Dr.Rajesh Kumar till the Rio Olympics.

The rate of the fee will be Rs 1800 (Rupees One thousand eight hundred only) per session, as per the norms prescribed under the Target Olympic Programme (TOP) scheme.

The period of engagement will be from November 2015 or the actual date of engagement, whichever is later, till August 2016.

However, “the period of engagement will be reviewed on the basis of your performance and qualification in the Olympics”, a statement from the Ministry said. The expenditure for the services of Dr. Rajesh will be met out of the budget of Rs 45 lakh allocated to Vikas.

Another boxer, Sangwan too has been provided financial assistance from NSDF for training and other support as part of his preparation for 2016 Olympics. He has been allocated a budget of Rs 30 lakh under the scheme.

Discus thrower Seema will be provided with financial aid for training and other support and has been allocated a budget of Rs 75 lakh under the scheme.

Seema's coach and husband Ankush Punia will also accompany her during the period of training abroad under Tony Ciarelli before the Rio Games.

Shooter Chain Singh has also been allocated a budget of Rs 40 lakh for training and other support.

Image: Boxer Vikas Krishnan