Abhinav Bindra Resigns from Government's Target Olympic Podium Scheme
Olympic champion Abhinav Bindra says he is busy training for the Rio Olympics and has no time for the Target Olympic Podium Scheme.
- NDTVSports
- Updated: October 29, 2015 05:54 pm IST
Beijing Olympic gold medallist Abhinav Bindra has resigned from the Indian government's Target Olympic Podium Scheme aimed at winning medals in the 2016 Rio Games and the 2020 Summer Olympics. (Abhinav Bindra Becomes Fourth Indian Shooter to Secure Place in 2016 Rio Olympics)
Bindra, in a letter to TOPS chairman Anurag Thakur on Thursday, said he was resigning because he could not devote "meaningful" time to the committee that also includes London Olympic bronze medallist boxer MC Mary Kom. Bindra added that he was "busy preparing for the Olympics" and "no time to spare."
My letter to the Chairman of TOPS is attached. 3/3 pic.twitter.com/s0eleatdLX
- Abhinav Bindra (@Abhinav_Bindra) October 29, 2015
Through its ambitious TOPS scheme, the government provides grant to potential medal winners. Bindra will get a funding of Rs 1.12 crore while Mary Kom would get Rs 75 lakh.
National badminton coach Pullela Gopichand, former long jumper Anju Bobby George and sports minister Sarbananda Sonowal are other members in the TOPS committee. Thakur, a BJP MP, is also the secretary of the Indian cricket Board. (Rahul Dravid, Abhinav Bindra, Pullela Gopichand to Select Indian Olympic Medal Hopes for Future)
The committee came under fire because of conflict of interest. Bindra and Mary Kom were both selectors as well as beneficiaries.