As per the plan, the ministry has decided to fund the trips and advanced training of all athletes who have qualified for the Beijing Games, in order to help them hone their skills before the D-Day. Sports Minister MS Gill seems to have given the go-ahead to ministry officials to sanction the plans that come from individual athletes and federations.

Sources indicate that, as per the plans, the three wrestlers qualified for the Games could be sent to Russia for a training-cum-competition next month.

According to Wrestling Federation of India officials, they had proposed a training session with a club side in Minsk. The decision to send the three wrestlers—Sushil Kumar (66 kg), Yogeshwar Dutt (60) and Ravi Tomar (120——could be taken only recently because they qualified late, said an official.

Under the scheme, already several athletes have benefited, including shooters—they have been training and competing abroad—track and field athletes and the swimmers.

Beijing qualifier
Meanwhile, the four-member women’s wrestling squad — Neha Rathi (48 kg), Alka Tomar (5), Geetika Jhakar (63) and Jyoti —72)— will keep its fingers crossed as it embarks on a trip to Haparanda in Switzerland to participate in the second and last Olympic qualifying event to be held between May 29 and June 2.

According to WFI officials, India are hoping to book at least one Olympic berth after having narrowly missed it the last time.

Currently, the team is training at Patiala and coach Hargobind Singh said they have very good chances, though he would not pinpoint whether India would be able to book a berth.

“We always hope for a berth or two but it all depends on the draw. There will be about 50-odd countries competing in the event and since most of the strong comeptitors have already qualified, our girls can hope to book the Beijing berth,” he said.