Lakshya Sen and PV Sindhu to train abroad, Mission Olympics Cell gives approval

Indian shuttlers Lakshya Sen and PV Sindhu will train in France and Germany respectively as part of their Paris Olympics 2024 preparations. This has been approved by the Sports Ministry. Mission Olympics Cell (MOC) approved the request on Thursday.

Also Read: Delhi High Court upholds Paris Olympics selection policy formulated by NRAI

The Mission Olympics Cell has approved funding of their airfare, boarding/accommodation costs, local transportation charges, visa fees, and shuttlecock expenses under the Ministry's Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS).

Lakshya had sought financial assistance for a 12-day training session in Marseille, France. He will train with his coaches and support staff at The Halle des Sports Parsemain from July 8-21. 

Meanwhile, Sindhu will train at Hermann-Neuberger Sportschule in Saarbrucken, Germany. She will practice there for over a month with her coach and support staff before leaving for Paris. 

Sindhu getting ready for her third Olympics

PV Sindhu is set to appear at the Olympics for the third time in her career. The 28-year-old made a comeback in February following a four-month injury layoff. She is competing at the Thailand Open this week. 

Both PV Sindhu and Lakshya Sen obtained Paris quota places for India as per the Race to Paris Ranking List published by the BWF late last month.

The MOC also approved the proposals of table tennis players Sreeja Akula and Tisha Punia for support in purchasing equipment and golfer Aditi Ashok and swimmer Aryan Nehra for support in travelling to various competitions.

TOPS will finance their airfare, accommodation costs, local transport costs, Aryan's equipment and Aditi's caddy fees.

Mission Olympics Cell also included rising golfer Kartik Singh in the TOPS Development Group with a focus on the Olympics to be held in Los Angeles and Brisbane in 2028 and 2032 respectively. 

Also Read: Aishwary Pratap and Anjum Moudgil finish on top at Olympic Trials T3

Apart from them, MOC inducted table tennis player Harmeet Desai and the women's 4x400 relay team into the TOPS core group and promoted wrestlers Nisha (68 kg) and Reetika (76 kg) to the core group.