NEW DELHI: The ticker on the official 2012 London Olympics website is winding down to July 27 - the day the Games finally get under way. With just over 200 days to go, India has finally identified the sportspersons who are most likely to add to the country's medal tally at the 27th edition of the Games.
The Sports Authority of India (SAI) has shared with TOI the list of 42 sportspersons who will be part of SAI's 'Olympic Hopeful' scheme in the run-up to the London Olympics. The scheme, which has been approved by the sports ministry, will provide additional assistance to the athletes -- apart from SAI's OPEX 2012 programme -- and includes those who have already booked their berths for Olympics or will qualify for the Games soon.
The list includes some of the top names including Beijing Games gold-medallist Abhinav Bindra, bronze-medallists Vijender Singh and Sushil Kumar and the likes of Mahesh Bhupathi, Somdev Devvarman and Saina Nehwal.
The athletes are from eight sporting disciplines - there are 4 archers, 4 athletes, 9 boxers, 3 shuttlers, one rower, 9 shooters, 5 tennis players, one weightlifter and six wrestlers.
"We have sent letters out to all of these athletes (a copy of which is with TOI) asking them about their needs for specialised training as well as customised programme. A copy of the letter has also been sent to their respective regional SAI directors because some of them might be hesitant about approaching us directly. We have already heard from four athletes - Vikas Gowda, Tintu Luka, Mayookha Johny and Krishna Poonia," SAI director general Desh Deepak Verma said on Monday.
The SAI letter to the athletes asks them to give their requirements for additional coaching camps, training and competition exposure in India and overseas, requirement of nutritional and food supplements, training aids and gadgets as well as psychological, medical and scientific assistance for training.
"The plans will be decided by the athletes in consultation with their respective coaches. The purpose of this is to not only to focus on just the Olympic qualifiers but aim at bringing back medals from London," Verma added.
Among those who have already replied, discus thrower Gowda, who was already sanctioned Rs 50 lakh for training in the US, has asked for additional funds for specialised training at the facility. Long jump star Johny wants to go for specialised training in Berlin while 800m hopeful Tintu Luka has asked for the services of a physio and a masseur. Last year's Commonwealth Games women's discus champion Krishna Poonia is expected to come and meet the SAI director general soon with her demands.
"Around Rs 200 crore has been allocated for the OPEX 2012 project for the training of the athletes. The funding of the athletes under the Olympic Hopeful will also be done under this allocation. Of course, we will keep an eye on the private sector assistance that these athletes are getting," the SAI director general said.
Athletes under 'Olympic Hopeful' programme
Archery: L Bombyala Devi, Deepika Kumari, Chekrovolu Swuro and Jayanta Talukdar.
Athletics: Vikas Gowda, Mayookha Johny, Tintu Luka and Krishna Poonia.
Boxing: Manoj Kumar, Devendro Singh, Jai Bhagwan, Vikas Krishn, Vijender Singh, Suranjoy Singh, Dinesh Kumar, MC Marykom, Neetu Chahal.
Badminton: Saina Nehwal, Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa.
Rowing: Bajrang Lal Thakar.
Shooting: Gagan Narang, Abhinav Bindra, Ronjan Sodhi, Vijay Kumar, Sanjeev Rajput, Anuraj Singh, Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, Mansher Singh, Manavjit Singh Sandhu.
Tennis: Leander Paes, Mahesh Bhupathi, Sania Mirza, Somdev Devvarman and Rohan Bopanna.
Weightlifting: Sonia Chanu.
Wrestling: Sushil Kumar, Yogeshwar Dutt, Rahul Aware, Narsingh Yadav, Mausam Khatri and Geeta Kumari.
