Medals in Asian Games
The Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Youth Affairs and Sports Shri Sarbananda Sonowal has said that India won 65 medals (14Gold +17Silver + 34Bronze) in 2010 Asian Games and 57 medals (11Gold +10Silver + 36Bronze) in 2014 Asian Games. Although, there has been decline in number of medals won in Asian Games 2014 as compared to the number of medals won in Asian Games 2010, performance-wise Indian contingent had improved its performance, as a number of sports disciplines which were included in 2010 Asian Games were excluded in the 2014 Asian Games. In 2010 Asian Games, competitions were organised in 42 sports whereas competitions in only 36 sports were organised in the 2014 Asian Games. Sports disciplines like Billiards & Snooker, Chess and Roller Sport in which Indian sportspersons had won 8 medals in 2010 were dropped in Asian Games 2014. Review and analysis of performance of Indian sportspersons and teams in international events including Asian Games is an ongoing exercise.
In a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today Shri Sonowal said, funds are available for preparation and training of Indian sportspersons and teams for participation in forthcoming international events including Rio Olympic 2016. Coaching camps, customized training within the country and abroad with scientific back-up, competition exposures and engagement of foreign coaches are being organized and provided for improving the performance of Indian sportspersons and teams in international sports events including forthcoming Rio Olympics 2016.
The Minister further said, in order to support India’s best medal prospects for 2016 and 2020 Olympics and other major sporting events up to 2020 Olympics, the Ministry has started a “Target Olympic Podium Scheme” (TOP Scheme), promoted by the National Sports Development Fund. An Elite Athletes Identification Committee has been set up under the chairpersonship of Shri Anurag Thakur, Member of Parliament and having Shri Rahul Dravid, Shri Pullella Gopichand, Shri Abhinav Bindra and Ms. Manisha Malhotra as members among others to evaluate and select talented potential medal prospects for 2016 and 2020 Olympic Games for support under the TOP Scheme; Focused disciplines will be Athletics, Archery, Badminton, Boxing, Wrestling and Shooting.
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