SAI felicitates weightlifters for good show in Youth C'ships

The Indian weightlifting team, which won a whopping 27 medals in the recently-concluded Asian Youth Championships at Doha, was today felicitated by the Sports Authority of India (SAI) here.
The Indian team, comprising of eight boys and seven girls, bagged 13 gold, seven silver and an equal number of bronze medals in the meet that took place from May 28 to June 1 in the Qatari capital.
"It is indeed a brilliant performance by our young players. I acknowledge the efforts made by the Weightlifting Federation of India and SAI in making this happen by picking up the right players," said SAI Director General Jiji Thomson at the felicitation function.

"It is a rare feat and first time in the history of Indian weightlifting. This performance is par excellence as our young players competed against Asian and world giants like China, Korea and Japan and 27 medals is a great performance," he added.
Thomson said the SAI had spent nearly Rs 5.20 crore on junior age categories in the last financial year and Rs 1.43 crore has been spent until now on the same age category.
"Special imported wrist bands, waist belts, special shoes as used internationally and other equipments costing Rs nine lakh as demanded by the federation was made available to the campers. World class weightlifting equipment (Eleko from Sweden) was sanctioned to the team during their preparation in coaching camps at NIS Patiala," he said.

He said there's a request from the WFI to enhance the diet charges and food supplements.
"They want it increased from Rs 200 daily allowances for the junior campers to Rs 250 per day. The request has been forwarded to the Sports Ministry. This issue will also be deliberated in the forthcoming Steering Committee," he said.
Thomson said the rich medal haul was made possible due to the long-term planning of training and competition being facilitated by the junior wing headed by Roque Dias, Regional Director, SAI (LTDP - Youth OG'20).