Government ready to go to any extend to help 75 Rio Olympic probable: Sports minister Sarbananda Sonowal

NEW DELHI: The government is ready to go to any extend in helping 75 prospective athletes short-listed by an internal panel for 2016 Rio Olympic Games, union minister of youth affairs and sports Sarbananda Sonowal said, claiming that 10-plus medal win for India could be achievable. "If any of those 75 athletes needs extra-financial help, we will provide that. If someone asks for a special trainer, a physiotherapist or a coach, we will get that. We are on a mission mode to win 10 or more medals for the country," Sonowal said while interacting with ET in New Delhi on Friday.

The minister further said that his ministry would encourage individuals and rich corporates to come forward and help those Rio Olympic probable. "If an individual comes forward to help such a prospective athlete for any special training, we will welcome it. Our ministry is more than willing to facilitate that," Sonowal said.

Only three days ago, Sonowal in a function in Kolkata called upon the corporate houses to extend their CSR support to make India a sports superpower. He said, under CSR, contribution of funds could be made towards National Sports Development Fund (NSDF), created to support talented sportspersons in their training and competitions and also for financial support to former Olympians in setting up their sports academies.