SAI approves proposals of over Rs 70 lakh across seven sports

In a bid to provide regular support to athletes, the Sports Authority of India's (SAI) Mission Olympic Cell has approved financial proposals amounting to more than Rs 70 lakh across seven sports.

In a meeting convened by the Mission Olympic Cell, chaired by SAI Director General Sandip Pradhan, three national federations -- athletics, boxing and wrestling -- shared their roadmap for 2020, 2024 and 2028 Olympics with regards to strategy, planning and talent identification.

As reported by PTI, the committee approved the proposals of three table tennis players -- G Sathiyan, Achanta Sharath Kamal and Manika Batra -- for their training and competition requirements in India and overseas.

Besides, it also gave its green signal to the proposals of four men's shuttlers -- Kidambi Srikanth, Sameer Verma, HS Prannoy and Sai Praneeth -- to pay salaries of coach Siyadath Ullah and trainer Ganesh.

It has also approved the proposals for equipment, fitness and coaching requirements of female shuttlers Ashwini Ponappa and N Sikki Reddy, besides Chirag Shetty, Pranav Jerry Chopra, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Srikanth.

Pistol shooter, Rahi Sarnobat's proposal for ammunition requirements was also approved.

In cycling, the committee has sanctioned the proposal of four Indians, who will be participating at the UCI World Cup in New Zealand from December 6-8.

The committee has given its nod to woman wrestler Vinesh Phogat to train in Bulgaria for two weeks, besides clearing Bajrang Punia's proposal to hire a strength and conditioning coach Naresh till the Tokyo Olympics.

The committee has also approved the proposal of five para-badminton players -- Pramod Bhagat, Suhas Yathiraj, Sukant Kadam, Manoj Sarkar and Tarun -- for their training and competition in Japan later this month.

It has sanctioned the participation of Jayanti Behera at the Para-Athletics World Championships.