Telangana athletes delighted with TOPS inclusion

Hyderabad: State athletes, who are aspiring to represent India in the upcoming Paris Olympics in 2024, got a big boost when six of them were named in the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) by the Mission Olympic Cell (MOC) constituted by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. Promising shooters Esha Singh, Dhanush Srikanth and […]

Hyderabad: State athletes, who are aspiring to represent India in the upcoming Paris Olympics in 2024, got a big boost when six of them were named in the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) by the Mission Olympic Cell (MOC) constituted by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.

Promising shooters Esha Singh, Dhanush Srikanth and Kynan Chenai along with table tennis players Akula Sreeja, S Fidel R Snehit and weightlifter KVL Pavani Kumari were named in the list of 148 athletes from seven disciplines who will get financial and coaching support from the Centre and the Sports Authority of India (SAI).

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Esha, who was part of the TOPS last year as well, said the move is a big motivation. “I am very happy. This inclusion will make me work harder and move me a step closer to my dream of representing India in the Olympics. I am motivated to do well,” said the 16-year-old youngster who was also part of the Indian shooting core team for Tokyo Games but missed the bus by narrowly.

Dhanush Srikanth too delighted with his inclusion. “I am very pleased to know that I have been selected in TOPS. I am thankful to the government of India for the support and will keep working with my coaches and mentor Gagan (Narang) sir to improve and represent and perform for India at the highest level,” said Srikanth.

Meanwhile, table tennis Sreeja is over the moon. “This is a big break for me. Now, I can play more international tournaments which are crucial for improving the world ranking. Whenever you want to play a big tournament, they will consider only world ranking. Though I was India No.1 recently, I could not play in the World Championship due to poor world ranking. But now I can improve my ranking by playing more international events,” said Sreeja from Dehradun where she is participating in East Zone nationals.

Snehit said his inclusion is a big boost for his confidence. “I am grateful for my inclusion. This also means that I am in the thick of things. I am happy that the federation recoginsed me as an elite athlete. It is a big boost for me going forward,” said the 21-year-old lanky paddler.

Meanwhile, coach Somnath Ghosh, who is instrumental in the rise of both Sreeja and Snehit after the Telangana government appointed him as State coach on deputation, said Sreeja was supposed to be in the TOPS last year itself. “She was India No.1 and had a good world ranking. But she was not included last year. This time too, she should be in the core team not in the developmental group. But it is good that they included her and Snehit. Snehit is also a bright prospect,” he said.

There could be more State athletes in the list as the MOC will meet again later this month to add a few more in other disciplines.

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