Seven former athletes added to Mission Olympics Cell

The Sports Ministry names former athletes to help India build for Paris 2024.

The Sports Ministry has announced seven new members of the Mission Olympic Cell (MOC), which will work towards building on the country’s Tokyo Olympics success for the Paris 2024 Olympics.

The new members are: former hockey captain Sardar Singh, long-jump legend Anju Bobby George, former Indian football captain Bhaichung Bhutia, shooting professional Anjali Bhagwat, badminton ace Trupti Murgunde, hockey player and CEO of Olympic Gold Quest Viren Rasquinha and table tennis star Monalisa Mehta.

The MOC is set up by the Sports Authority of India (SAI) to select athletes for financial assistance under the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS). The body also focuses on selection, exclusion and retention of athletes, coaches, training institutes that can receive TOPS assistance.

Ajay Singh — President of Archery Association of India, Brij Bhushan — President Boxing Federation of India and Sharan Singh — President, Wrestling Federation of India along with Union minister Arjun Munda will also be a part of the MOC. Sandip Pradhan, Director General of SAI and Olympian sailor and sports science specialist Malav Shroff are also part of the MOC, with Pradhan chairing the body.

Sports Minister Anurag Thakur commented:

“The inputs by former athletes in the incumbent MOC played a significant role in supporting the training and competition of the athletes who competed in Tokyo 2020 and won 7 medals & 19 in the Paralympic Games.”

After a stellar show at the Tokyo Olympics that saw India score a record seven medals including a historic athletics gold, India will look to better their performances when they go to Paris in 2024.