India’s Javelin Superstar Neeraj Chopra Receives Funding From TOPS to Train in Turkey

Neeraj Chopra will start for Turkey on March 1st and train at the Gloria Sports Arena until March 31st after following Target Olympic Podium Scheme's (TOPS') approval.

Information

On March 16, the Mission Olympic Cell (MOC) of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS) authorized Olympic gold medalist Neeraj Chopra's request to train for 61 days at the Gloria Sports Arena in Turkey.

Neeraj, who trained at Gloria Sports Arena last year with sponsorship from the Target Olympic Podium Plan (TOPS), will leave for Turkey on April 1 and stay there through May 31.

The TOPS funds will pay for Neeraj's airfare, board and lodging, medical insurance, and local transportation expenses, as well as those of his coach Klaus Bartonietz and physiotherapist.

Other proposals approved by MOC

During the meeting, MOC members also approved other significant proposals, including funding for Deaf Olympics gold medalist Diksha Dagar's personal coach, fitness trainer, and nutritionist, financial support for Priyanshu Rajawat's participation in the Swiss Open, Spain Masters, and Orleans Masters; and financial support for shuttler Sankar Muthusamy's participation in the Orlen Polish Open and S.

Chopra's next big throw

About Neeraj, the 25-year-old has been practising in Potchefstroom, South Africa, in preparation for the next campaign.

The world-class javelin thrower from India has yet to surpass the 90-meter mark, which will be his goal in the coming year.

Chopra will be aiming to stay at the top of his game for the big competitions, which include the World Championships, Asian Games, and Diamond League Final.

TOPS' other fundings

The proposal to financially support PV Sindhu's coach Vidhi Chaudhary and fitness trainer Srikanth Madapalli in their travel expenses to accompany her to the All England Championships, Swiss Open, and Spain Masters was previously approved by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sport's (MYAS) Mission Olympic Cell (MOC). PV Sindhu has won two Olympic medals.

The Indian shooter and World Championships winner Anish Bhanwala's request to train in Germany under Foreign Coach Ralf Schumann was also granted by the MOC at the meeting. He is expected to depart in the final week of March after spending a total of 28 days training in Suhl. Along with his flight, visa, travel, hotel, boarding, and food expenses, among others, Anish's TOPS financial support will also pay for his coach, training, and ammo expenditures.