Hindustan Times ST (Jaipur)

Goel sets target for CWG, Asiad

- HT Correspond­ent sportsdesk@hindustant­imes.com

with the Spaniard wishing him luck and asking him to take car of his car. “Ok, I’m going to pee in your seat,” replied Button.

Asked before the race whether he might return as a stand-in later in the year if required, Button replied: “Who knows, but I don’t plan on it. I also know that the team don’t plan on moving their race drivers around.

“So no, it’s definitely not the plan for me to race again this year in Formula One. In other categories, possibly yes. But not in Formula One, I’ve got my own things that I’m enjoying away from the sport at the moment.”

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.

 ?? REUTERS ?? Jenson Button
REUTERS Jenson Button

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