Grants for Vikas, Saina

The Sports ministry on Friday sanctioned financial grants for Saina Nehwal, Vikas Gowda and the wrestling team under Target Olympic Podium Scheme.

Saina, who regained World No 1 ranking on Thursday, will get a granted Rs 10.81 lakh for hiring Vimal Kumar as personal coach effective from June this year till the Rio Olympics next year.

The Ministry has also sanctioned Rs 10.81 lakh for her to purchase gym equipments. Discus thrower Gowda has been allocated Rs 112.50 lakh from the National Sports Development Fund (NSDF) under TOPS for his training.

The approval was also conveyed for financial assistance for his training at World Athletics Centre Phoenix, Arizona, USA.

 "The Ministry has approved the release of 90 per cent of the estimated expenses of training for the period from June to August 2015 — coaching fee ($9,000) and other training expenses ($19,200).”

For wrestlers, the Ministry has approved sending of sparring partners and officials with the team to USA for training and participation in competition during August-September.

Sushil Kumar will be travelling with the team as an official, while four male and three female wrestlers have been approved to accompany the side as sparring partners.