Jitu dropped from TOPS

The Mission Olympic Cell (MOC) on Wednesday sanctioned Rs 50 lakh for TOPS shooters who will be representing India at the Asian Games and World Championships.

The MOC, however, dropped ace pistol shooter Jitu Rai, the 2014 Asian Games gold medallist (50m pistol), on grounds of “recent below-par performances and non-selection in the Asian Games and World Championship squads.”

Yashaswini Deswal, Amanpreet Singh and Neeraj Kumar were the other shooters to be dropped.

“Proposals of TOPS shooters of about Rs 50 lakhs who will be representing India at the upcoming Asian Games and World Championships were approved at the meeting. A thorough performance review of shooters under TOPS was also undertaken and four Indian shooters including Jitu Rai were dropped from the scheme,” SAI said in a statement.

Besides, the “Rs 2.4 lakh (approximate) has been sanctioned to Manika Batra, who won four medals at April’s Commonwealth Games, for her training till the Asian Games. This amount includes her training with coach Sandeep Gupta, use of support staff (physiotherapist, fitness trainer and masseur) and purchase of playing equipment.”

Wrestler Vinesh Phogat was sanctioned Rs 93,555 which was already approved for her participation at the Gran Premio De Espana Wrestling tournament where she won the gold medal.

Lili Das, who has represented India in 800 metres and 1500 metres, was dropped from the TOPS scheme on grounds of recent below-par performance.