Two of the three Indian athletes, who have qualified for next month's Winter Olympics, still face uncertainty over their participation as the Sports Ministry delayed the release of funds to buy expensive equipment that are mandatory for the Games.
Alpine skier Himanshu Thakur and cross country skier Nadeem Iqbal need to buy new equipment to be able to participate in February 7-23 Sochi Games but they cannot afford to spend Rs 6 lakh each, the minimum they would need.
Winter Games Federation of India (WGFI) had made the request to the Sports Ministry to sanction the required funds as the athletes otherwise would be disqualified without the new equipment. The athletes need a whole set as they have to use equipment of different specifications in the Winter Olympics.
The Ministry, after an internal meeting chaired by Sports Minister Jitendra Singh today, only decided to examine the request for sanction of funds for the equipment like ski board, ski boot, ski stick, ski suit, snow clothing, helmet and goggles.
WGFI Secretary Roshan Lal Thakur told PTI that it would now be a case of racing against time to buy the expensive equipment.
"I have got a letter from the Ministry today, stating that the Minister has directed the SAI to make comments on WGFI's request for funds to buy expensive equipment by January 17 so that he can take a decision," Thakur said.
"We have to buy the equipments from Europe -- preferably from Italy or Austria -- and I hope that the Ministry releases the required fund as soon as possible. It will be a case of running against time even if the Ministry releases the fund.
"I was thinking that the Ministry would release the funds today and I was preparing to order the equipments online. You need time for the equipments to reach here in India after placing the order. It's not like I am buying a thing inside India," he added.
