Seeking to help India become a force to reckon with at the Olympics, Anglian Medal-Hunt Company (AMHC) today announced a list of 12 athletes, mostly boxers, who will be supported by the sports foundation in the next few years.
The list, among others, includes boxers L Devendro Singh and Shiva Thapa and walker K T Irfan.
Also on the list are promising pugilists Sumit Sangwan, Gaurav Bidhuri and Sarjubala Devi, who has already been touted as the next big thing in women's boxing after M C Mary Kom.
Walker Basanta Bahadur Rana, Neetu Kumari and Harmilan Bains (800-metres race), Khushbir Kaur (20-km race walk), Vania Kapoor Achuthan (swimming) and Navjeet Kaur Dhillon (discus throw) complete the list.
While Devendro, Shiva, Sangwan, Irfan and Rana are known names having represented the country in the London Olympics, the others are more or less unheralded, though they have been selected after taking into consideration their proven record at the national level meets.
"We have already identified 12 fantastic young sportspersons whom we have signed up, and intend to work with 30 athletes by the end of this year and 50 before the Asian Games next year. We wish to guide them in all aspects of their career from training, international exposure, sponsorships to all other aspects of their professional life," said Maneesh Bahuguna, CEO of AMHC.
