New Delhi: Doubles specialist shuttler Ashwini Ponnappa has claimed to have received minimal support from the Sports Ministry prior to Paris Olympics and paid from her own pocket to hire a personal trainer.
As per a Sports Authority of India (SAI) document quoted by PTI that detailed the cost borne by the government for Paris-bound athletes, Rs 4,50,000 was spent on Ponnappa under TOPS and Rs 1,48,04,080 under the annual calender for training and competition (ACTC).
The money spent included procurement of recovery equipment, cost to participate in international competitions and her sparring partner in the Tokyo cycle.
But Ponnappa said that she didn’t receive any money and claimed to have been shocked by the figures quoted in news reports.
“I’m absolutely shocked.. I don’t mind not getting money but telling the nation that I got money is ridiculous. I haven’t received it. Like if you’re talking about national camp, then that 1.5 crore is spent on all the campers,” Ashwini was quoted as saying by PTI.
“I don’t have a specific coach. As for my personalised trainer, I’m paying for him myself. I’m not taking money from anyone. I’ve played on my own until November (2023). I was included as part of TOPS only after we qualified…”
The 34-year-old has been among the country’s foremost doubles players, with a gold, silver and bronze medals in three editions of Commonwealth Games (2010, 2014 and 2018) respectively.
She formed a formidable pair with the retired Jawla Gutta and competed at London 2012 and Rio 2016.
A SAI source told PTI: “The Rs 1.48 crore has been spent on her on travel, stay, food, competition fee, DA in all the competitions that she participated in as part of the Indian team in the Paris cycle. This money is given to BAI as part of ACTC.”
Ponnappa paired up with Tanisha Crasto to qualify for Paris Olympic but they exited from the group stage.
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Ashwini Ponnappa said she was included in TOPS only after November 2023 and had paid from her own pocket before that. Badminton Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
