As Indian Athletes prepares to participate in the Paris 2024 Olympics, a select group of athletes has been identified as the country’s main hope for winning medals. These Indian Athletes, coming from sports such as athletics, shooting, and badminton, have been bolstered by significant financial backing, making them India’s best bets for Olympic success.
Here’s a look at the top 10 Indian Athletes who have secured the highest funding as India gears up for the Paris Olympic Games:
10. Rohan Bopanna
Total Funding: ₹1.56 crore
At 44 years old, Rohan Bopanna continues to excel, representing India in men’s doubles tennis alongside Sriram Balaji.
Bopanna has benefited from crucial government support, including assistance with travel to major tournaments and funding for hiring an international coach and physiotherapist.
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9. Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar
Total Funding: 1.56 crores
Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar, 23, is the current World University Champion and will represent India in the men’s 50m 3-position rifle event.
He has received significant government support, which includes help for training camps and participation in ISSF World Cups, Asian Championships, and various international and national competitions.
8. Sift Kaur Samra
Total Funding: 1.63 crores
Sift Kaur Samra, a 22-year-old from Punjab, is the current Asian champion and holds a world record. She has benefited from significant government support, including help in acquiring ammunition.
7. Manu Bhaker
Total Funding: 1.68 crores
Manu Bhaker, the current world and Asian champion in team events, is gearing up to represent India in three categories: the 10m pistol, 25m pistol, and 10m mixed pistol events.
She has benefited from significant government support, which included help with weapon maintenance, air pellets, ammunition testing, and selecting the right barrel. Additionally, she received funding for training in Germany with her personal coach.
6. Anish Bhanwala
Total Funding: 2.42 crores
Anish Bhanwala, a 21-year-old Commonwealth champion from Karnal, will represent India in the 25m rapid pistol event. The government has provided him with essential support, such as supplying ammunition and funding for foreign training. This has allowed him to train in Germany with his personal coach.
5. Saikhom Mirabai Chanu
Total Funding: 2.74 crores
Saikhom Mirabai Chanu, who won a silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics, will represent India in the 49kg weightlifting category. She received significant support from the government, including international training at SQUAT University in the USA from May 12 to 21, 2023. Additionally, she was provided with bio-mechanical equipment in December 2023 to monitor her training and rehabilitation.
Moreover, financial assistance was granted for the services of Dr. Aaron Horschig during her pre-Olympic training camp, as well as for a 28-day foreign training camp to help her adjust to the weather conditions before the Olympic Games.
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4. Pusarla Venkata Sindhu
Total Funding: 3.13 crores
Pusarla Venkata Sindhu, who has won two Olympic medals, is aiming for her third at the Paris Olympics. To support her, the government has provided crucial assistance, including funding for her current foreign coach, Agus Dwi Santoso, from January 1, 2024, to August 31, 2024.
3. Satwiksairaj Rankireddy – Chirag Shetty
Total Funding: 5.62 crores
Satwik-Chirag, the current Asian Games champions, are ready to raise the Indian flag in France. They have benefited from important government support, such as help in appointing and extending the tenure of their doubles coach, Mathias Boe, and assistance in hiring a video analyst.
2. Neeraj Chopra
Total Funding: 5.72 crores
The 26-year-old from Haryana, who is both the current world and Olympic champion, will compete to defend his title at the Paris 2024 Games. He has received significant support from the government, including help with hiring his foreign coach, Dr. Klaus Bartonietz, and funding for training and competitions in Europe, the USA, and South Africa.
1. Indian men’s hockey team
Total Funding: 41.81 crores
The Indian hockey team, which ended a 41-year medal drought with a memorable performance, will now be aiming for gold in Paris to restore India’s hockey dominance.
They have received significant support from the government, including help with 19 foreign training camps and test matches against Australia, the Netherlands, and Belgium. Additionally, over Rs 4.17 crores have been allocated for gym and training equipment for the national camp. This support also covers specialist trainers for drag-flickers, penalty-corner experts, and goalkeepers.
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