The Hindu : Sport : Abhinav Bindra in ‘Sports Ratna' list

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Wednesday, Jun 30, 2010
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Abhinav Bindra in ‘Sports Ratna' list

Special Correspondent

– Photo: R.V. Moorthy

Raring to go: Boxer Nanao Singh Thokchom, wrestler Sushil Kumar, boxer Suranjoy Singh, boxer Vijender Singh and wrestler Ramesh Kumar during the launch of the Sports Ratna Programme in New Delhi.

NEW DELHI: Olympic gold medallist Abhinav Bindra is part of a 10-man “Sports Ratna” list that includes shooters, boxers and wrestlers who stand to gain “scholarship support” to prepare for the Asian Games in Guangzhou, China, in November this year.

In the absence of the shooters – Abhinav Bindra, Gagan Nagang, Manavjit Singh Sandhu and Ronjan Sodhi – the focus was firmly on boxers Vijender Singh, Akhil Kumar, Nanao Singh, Suranjoy Singh and wrestlers Sushil Kumar and Ramesh Kumar.

The programmeme, which is an initiative of Samsung India, has committed its support to the select band of sportspersons including four shooters, four boxers and two wrestlers.

Confident

Olympic bronze medallist Vijender exuded confidence that India would win more medals in the Commonwealth Games, followed by the Asian Games, since the boxers were working extremely hard in the on-going preparatory camp at Patiala.

“The home advantage during the Commonwealth Games will be a big factor.

“We are getting all the support in the run up to the Games and once the crowd backs us when we enter the ring, I am confident the boxers will give their best,” said Vijender.

Akhil Kumar, a losing quarterfinalist in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, sounded confident, as usual, and promised, “this year, I won't let you down.”

Sushil Kumar, the other Olympic bronze medallist, was pleased with the quality of training of the wrestlers and expected India's best medal haul in the two Games.

“We need support and recognition. And that is what we are getting. Now it is for us to prove worthy of it,” he said.

The list: Shooters: Abhinav Bindra, Gagan Narang, Manavjit Singh Sandhu and Ronjan Sodhi

Boxers: Vijender Singh, Akhil Kumar, Nanao Singh Thakchom and Suranjoy Singh.

Wrestling: Sushil Kumar and Ramesh Kumar .

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