Sakshi Malik dropped from Target Olympic Podium Scheme; Ravi Dahiya included

After a first-round exit in the World Championships held last month at Nur-Sultan, 2016 Olympics bronze medallist wrestler Sakshi Malik has been dropped from the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) programme. The decision was taken by the Sports Authority of India's (SAI) Mission Olympic Cell that identifies potential medal winners in the Olympics and offers them financial assistance of Rs. 50,000 a month.

Malik, who has been struggling of late, crashed out without much fight in the 62kg weight category in the World Championships that was held at Nur Sultan, Kazakhstan.

Young wrestler Ravi Dahiya, who won a bronze in the same tournament was included in her place. Dahiya ensured an Olympic quota for the Tokyo Games next year with the medal that came in the 57kg freestyle category.

The committee also sanctioned wrestler Pooja Dhanda's proposal to train for a month in her hometown Hisar under her Romanian coach Fanel Carp. They also sanctioned weight-lifter Mirabai Chanu's proposal for financial help to have a physio on board with her till the end of the Olympics in 2020.

Other proposals sanctioned by the Mission Olympic Cell

In a recently held meeting, the Mission Olympic Cell sanctioned proposals worth over Rs 70 lakh. They sanctioned overseas training in Colorado Springs for Avinash Sable, who entered the finals of the World Athletics Championships in the 3000m steeplechase event. He will work with Scott Simons until the event in Tokyo next year.

In badminton, the Cell allowed Sameer Verma to participate in three competitions - Dutch Open, Macau Open and the Korea Masters, and also allowed Saina Nehwal to travel with her fitness trainer Swaroop Sinha in seven events till the end of the year.

Seven shooters' requirements in training were also approved. They are Anjum Moudgil, Rahi Sarnobat, Manu Bhaker, Abhishek Verma, Lakshay Sheoran, Mehuli Ghosh and Anish Bhanwala.