Financial boost to Sushil, Tejaswini ahead of Asiad

New Delhi: The Sports Ministry on Friday sanctioned Rs 4.95 lakh for star wrestler Sushil Kumar's two-week training programme in Georgia ahead of the Asian Games, besides clearing another Rs 25 lakh for athletes across seven other sports.

The Mission Olympic Cell, at its meeting on Friday, cleared funding proposals related to training, competition, support staff and equipment expenses.

"Rs 4.95 lakh was sanctioned to Sushil Kumar for a two-week training programme in Georgia ahead of the Asian Games along with one support staff and two sparring partners," the Sports Authority of India said in a release. 

Shooter Tejaswini Sawant has been sanctioned Rs 1.24 lakh for sports science evaluation across four months of January, February, July and August. 

The training expenses of Akhil Sheoran for his pre-Asian Games training in Mumbai and Pune were also sanctioned at the meeting. 

"Rs 5.02 lakhs has been sanctioned for gymnast Rakesh Patra for his 12-day training camp in Mersin, Turkey ahead of the Asian Games. 

Apart from coaching fees, the expenses will also include the use of training venue, medical expenses and accommodation," the SAI said.

Boxer Vikas Krishan, who won a gold medal at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, has been sanctioned Rs 42,000 for the purchase of equipment, including shoes, lactometer and pulse oximeter.