Golfers Sharma and Dagar receive TOPS support for Paris trip

Star Indian golfers Shubhankar Sharma and Diksha Dagar are set to receive significant support from the Sports Ministry’s Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) as they gear up for the Paris Olympics. In a recent meeting, the ministry’s Mission Olympic Cell (MOC) made key decisions to boost the preparations of these talented athletes.

Sharma, currently ranked 46th in the men’s Olympic Golf Ranking (OGR), has been moved from the TOPS development group to the core group, highlighting the high expectations from the young golfer. On the other hand, Asian Games silver medallist Gaganjeet Bhullar has been directly inducted into the TOPS core group due to his impressive recent form, being ranked 52nd in the OGR.

The 27-year-old Sharma’s request for financial assistance for nine international tournaments and two Majors, the US Open and the British Open, has been approved. This support will enable him to have his coach Jesse Grewal by his side at five events, as well as engage a physiotherapist and dietician to enhance his performance.

Similarly, Dagar, ranked 39th on the women’s OGR, will receive financial assistance for nine international tournaments on the Ladies European Tour and a training stint at Le Golf National, the venue for the Olympic Games competition. She is set to join forces with Hangzhou Asian Games silver medallist Aditi Ashok in Paris.

The MOC has also extended support to other athletes like race walker Priyanka Goswami, table tennis player Achanta Sharath Kamal, and swimmer Srihari Nataraj, among others, to ensure they have the necessary resources for their training and participation in international events leading up to the Paris Games. These decisions reflect the government’s commitment to supporting India’s athletes on their journey to Olympic and Paralympic success.