Shooter Divyansh Singh Panwar included in TOPS on Wednesday
India’s shooting ace Divyansh Singh Panwar, who specializes in 10m air rifle, has been included into the core group of the government’s Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS). The Mission Olympic Cell meeting has also suggested names like Mirabai Chanu, Jinson Johnson, amongst five others.
The decision to include the shooter, as per SAI’s statement, was taken after his recent good performances where he won a silver medal in the ISSF Beijing World Cup to seal an Olympic quota.
The Mission Olympic Cell (MOC) meeting was chaired by SAI director general Neelam Kapu where names of as many as seven athletes were proposed for getting funds after Rs. 85 lakh were cleared. The list includes the likes of weightlifter Chanu, shooter Saurabh Chaudhary, shuttler Kidambi Srikanth, middle-distance runner Johnson, and para-athlete Sharad Kumar.
In the meeting was also discussed the methods of long-term development plan for the Olympics in 2024 and 2028.
“It was agreed that the athletes need to be supported on a long-term basis by dovetailing with the Khelo India Talent Identification Scheme. In particular, emphasis must be given to coaching, sport science support and foreign exposure. Inputs will be sought from all national sporting federations and incorporated in the draft policy,” the statement said.
