Sports Minister Sarbananda Sonowal met with the officials from the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and National Sports Federations (NSF) on Thursday at the SAI headquarters to take account of the preparation for the Olympic Games in Rio next year.
Based on the feedback, Sonowal shared things are going as per plan and that the country realistically can come back with at least 10 medals. “We wanted to know about the preparations and initiatives of the federations for Rio Olympics and about the support they are giving to the athletes. From the statements they made, it is exciting and encouraging and all the federations, including those medal prospect NSFs, have taken several initiatives to bring medals. The Ministry is giving full support to the players and the NSFs,” he said.
With 52 athletes having already qualified, many more could still make the flight to Brazil with events such as archery and shooting undergoing qualification tournaments.
“So far, 52 have qualified for the Olympics: 32 from hockey (men’s and women’s teams), four from archery, seven from athletics, eight from shooting and one from wrestling. More will qualify in the coming months,” said Sonowal.
With the mess in boxing affecting the boxers’ preparation, Sonowal was quick to pass on its responsibilities to the IOA and the ad-hoc committee appointed by AIBA - sports’ world body. “There is an ad-hoc committee to sort out the issues. There is also the IOA to handle the issue.”
later SAI Director General Injeti Srinivas said the disorder in boxing with multiple bodies fighting for the status of official body is mostly hurting the juniors and talent hunting schemes. He added the likelihood of it affecting the elite athletes is minimal.
The minister also said the government will continue to support Odisha sprinter Dutee Chand in her training though he remained non-committal on her inclusion in the financially lucrative TOP scheme that could aid her training.
Kom alleges regional bias
Mumbai: Olympic bronze medallist MC Mary Kom broke down and accused the Indian selectors of regional bias during boxing selection and trails.
“Sometimes I feel very upset. Some of the referees and judges don’t favour me but I don’t mind. Okay I am from north-east, no problem, but I am still an Indian,” Mary Kom told reporters here.
The 32-year-old boxer alleged that Haryana’s Pinky Jangra, who competes in the same weight category as her, is being repeatedly favoured by the selectors despite being beaten by the five-time world champion from Manipur.
“There are so many controversies. Pinky Jangra, I always defeat her and prove it to get a gold medal in every competition but they (boxing selectors) continue to support her,” she said.
The london Olympics medallist was dropped from the Indian contingent at the Commonwealth Games in 2014 and Jangra was chosen in her place. Pinky had beaten Mary in the trail of 51kg category before the Commonwealth Games but the Manipuri boxer claimed it was poorly judged.
When Mary’s plea was put forward to Sonowal, he was evasive and asked the boxer to come forward and speak to the concerned officials to solve any concerns.