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The upcoming Paris Olympics in 2024 promises to be a grand spectacle, with the opening ceremony taking place on the Seine River for the first time in history. India is set to participate in 16 sports disciplines, and the government has invested substantial resources in its athletes to boost the medal count. This article delves into the specific investments made by the Indian Ministry of Sports for various athletes and sports disciplines.
Among the prominent recipients of government support is Neeraj Chopra, the reigning Olympic javelin throw champion. Having received approximately ₹5.72 crore in funding, Chopra trains at the Sports Authority of India's (SAI) National Sports Institute in Patiala and in Europe, aiming to defend his title in Paris. Similarly, the Indian men's hockey team, which secured a bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics, ending a 41-year drought, has received a significant investment of ₹41.81 crore. They are honing their skills at the SAI National Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, hoping to build upon their past achievements.
In badminton, the men's doubles pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, training at the Pullela Gopichand Badminton Academy in Hyderabad, have been allocated ₹5.62 crore, aiming for a gold medal. PV Sindhu, with a silver from Rio 2016 and bronze from Tokyo 2020, has received ₹3.13 crore and trains at the Prakash Padukone Badminton Academy in Bengaluru, hoping to clinch the gold. Mirabai Chanu, the weightlifter who won silver at Tokyo, has received ₹2.74 crore and trains at the SAI NSNIS in Patiala, but faces a challenging path to success in Paris due to injuries.
Other athletes receiving substantial investments include Manu Bhaker in shooting (₹1.68 crore), Sift Kaur Samra in shooting (₹1.63 crore), Rohan Bopanna in tennis (₹1.56 crore), Manika Batra in table tennis (₹1.30 crore), and the boxers Nikhat Zareen (₹91.71 lakh) and Lovlina Borogohain (₹81.76 lakh). Vinesh Phogat, aiming for her third Olympics in wrestling, has received ₹70.45 lakh from the ministry.
Beyond individual athletes, the government has also invested significantly in various sports disciplines. Archery has received ₹39.18 crore, athletics ₹96.08 crore, badminton ₹72.03 crore, boxing ₹60.93 crore, equestrian ₹95.42 lakh, golf ₹1.74 crore, hockey ₹41.30 crore, judo ₹6.33 crore, rowing ₹3.89 crore, sailing ₹3.78 crore, shooting ₹60.42 crore, swimming ₹3.90 crore, table tennis ₹12.92 crore, tennis ₹1.67 crore, weightlifting ₹27 crore, and wrestling ₹37.80 crore. These investments demonstrate the government's commitment to promoting sports excellence in India and its aspiration for success at the Paris Olympics.
The investments across various athletes and sports disciplines highlight the Indian government's comprehensive approach to preparing for the Paris Olympics. By providing substantial financial support, the government is aiming to create an environment where athletes can focus on their training, achieve peak performance, and bring glory to the nation. The outcome of these investments will be evident on the global stage in Paris, where Indian athletes will strive to showcase their talent and make their country proud.