Purse to Podiums: Boxing
The Sports Ministry’s ambitious Target Olympics Podium Scheme (TOPS), announced its first batch of beneficiaries who will be allocated funds in the run-up to the Rio Olympics in 2016. Express takes stock of where the athletes in the short-list stand currently — to see what has worked for them and what hasn’t in the last 24 months.
Today we look at Boxing, a sport that has fetched India a medal each in the last two Olympics but a discipline that’s severely affected by political infighting within the federation since London. While funding allocations are spread over 8 athletes, next best number after shooters, how the money will be really utilised given the absolute anarchy with the governing body, remains to be seen. Indian men boxers have disappointed over the last few years with their below par performances and rule changes are an added challenge as sufficient international meets become important.
