Didn’t receive any money, Ashwini refutes SAI claim

New Delhi, August 13

Indian doubles badminton specialist Ashwini Ponnappa said she received little individual financial assistance from the sports ministry in the build-up to the Paris Olympics and even her request for a coach was turned down ahead of the Games. The Sports Authority of India had come out with a document, detailing the financial support provided to the Paris-bound Indian athletes.

It mentions that Ashwini was provided Rs 4,50,000 under TOPS and Rs 1,48,04,080 under Annual calender for Training and Competition (ACTC), which included the procurement of Game Ready recovery equipment, international competitions and sparring partner in the Tokyo cycle.

“I’m absolutely shocked. I don’t mind not getting the money but telling the nation that I got the money is ridiculous. I haven’t received it. Like if you’re talking about the national camp, then that 1.5 crore

is spent on all the campers,” Ashwini said.

“I don’t have a specific coach. As for my personalised trainer, I’m paying for him myself. I’m not taking money from anyone. I played on my own until November (2023). I was included as part of TOPS only after we qualified,” the 34-year-old said.

Playing her third Olympics, Ashwini was left in tears after she and her partner Tanisha Crasto couldn’t win a single match to make an unceremonious exit from the group stage. “I haven’t played well, I take responsibility for that. But you can’t say I’m getting this amount when I haven’t even got this amount,” she said. — PTI