Vijay Goel sets target for CWG, Asiad

THE MINISTER HAS SET A TARGET OF FINISHING AMONG THE TOP FOUR AT THE CWG AND TOP FIVE AT ASIAN GAMES

With an aim to help raise India’s medal tally at the 2018 Commonwealth and Asian Games, the sports ministry held a review meeting on Monday with all stake holders, including officials of the National Sports Federations (NSFs) here.

Sports minister Vijay Goel said funds will not be an issue for the preparation of the core group of athletes. “The government has enhanced financial assistance to NSFs, a major step to support preparations,” he said after the meeting.

The minister has also set a target of finishing among the top four in medals at the CWG and the top five at the Asian Games.

India’s successful 2010 CWG on home soil saw them finish second in the medals table after a haul of 101 with 38 gold, 27 silver and 36 bronze. There was a dip in the show at Glasgow four years later. India won 64 medals in Scotland with 15 gold, 30 silver and 19 bronze to be ranked fifth.

At the Asian Games too, the overall performance graph has not been steady.

In the last six continental events, India’s best position was at the 2010 Guangzhou Games. India’s medal tally was 65 with 14 gold, 17 silver and 34 bronze. However, at the 2014 Incheon Games, it came down to 57 with 11 gold, ten silver and 36 bronze.