Financial assistance approved for training of table tennis and judo players with Bajrang Punia

There are now just four months remaining till the Olympic Games in Paris. The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports is providing huge assistance to Indian sportsmen as they prepare hard to compete in these games. During its 128th meeting on Tuesday, the Sports Ministry's Mission Olympic Cell (MOC) approved the idea to provide funding for the training of judo and table tennis players in addition to seasoned wrestler Bajrang Punia.

The MOC approved the proposal to retain the services of Qazi Kiran Mustafa Hasan, his strength and conditioning specialist, until the end of May 2024, when the final selection trials for the Paris Olympics will take place, in addition to giving financial support to controversial wrestler Bajrang Punia. Bajrang, who won the bronze medal in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, however, had to face defeat in the recent national trials.

The proposal for financial assistance for the training of 25-year-old table tennis player Sreeja Akula, who recently won the women's singles title of the WTT Feeder Beirut tournament, has been approved. Sreeja will train with her coach Liu Jun-Lin in Taipei for 12 days. She will also practice against different paddlers at the club during her stay.

Apart from overseas training, the MOC also approved proposals for financial assistance for male table tennis players Manav Thakkar and Payas Jain to participate in competitions. Manav will travel to Havírov, Czech Republic for the WTT Feeder event. Pius Jan will go to Dusseldorf, Germany and Havirov, Czech Republic for WTT feeder events.

The MOC also approved judoka Tulika Mann's request for financial assistance to participate in a Grand Slam event in Antalya, Turkey, followed by a training camp at the same location. 25-year-old Tulika competes in the 78 kg category. The Ministry, under its Targeted Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) funding, will cover the cost of air tickets, accommodation meals and entry fees (for competitions) of the athletes and their coaches, among other expenses.