Bindra targets excellence at elite centre

He is used to being one-of-a-kind since handing India their first ever gold medal in an individual event at the Olympic Games and Abhinav Bindra continued the trend as he inaugurated the SAI-Abhinav Bindra Target Performance Centre at the Padukone-Dravid Centre for Sports Excellence here on Saturday.

It is the first time that SAI has set-up a facility in a private centre and it will aid elite athletes in training and rehabilitation. The centre will employ cutting- edge technology like the Electric Muscle Stimulation equipment and also has the country's first cryo chamber, aiding in recovery.

Speaking at the launch, Bindra said: "I have to first thank the government for providing me with the necessary funds for this facility. My vision was to create something that is a go-to place for high performing athletes and I am glad I could do it. I dedicate the SAI-Abhinav Bindra Target Performance Centre to my parents."

Bindra's efforts were lauded profusely by cricketing legend Rahul Dravid, who with Prakash Padukone, was the chief guest at the launch.

"After my retirement, it took me two or three years to figure what I wanted to do. But with Abhinav, he's figured it out so quickly and even realised his goal," quipped Dravid.

The technology at the centre will not only be available to all SAI athletes and other sportspersons training at the Centre for Sports Excellence but also to the general public.