City
Epaper

Will do my best to qualify for Tokyo Olympics: Swapna

By IANS | Updated: September 26, 2019 21:25 IST

Asian Games gold medal winning heptathlete Swapna Barman on Thursday said it's difficult for her to qualify for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics as she is no longer part of the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) but she will try her best to better her tally and make the cut.

Open in App

Swapna clinched India's first-ever heptathlon gold at the Asian Games last year with a total of 6026 points in seven events. To make the Olympic qualifying mark, she has to better her tally to 6420 points.

"It's tough but I'm confident. I will do my best next year to raise the points," Swapna said on the sidelines of a felicitation programme here.

"I don't have any regrets. It would have been nice to be there in TOPS. My focus is on ensuring that I'm in the best possible shape ahead of the Tokyo Olympics," said the 23-year-old, who received the Arjuna Award recently.

Swapna, who is from Jalpaiguri in West Bengal, said that she is yet to get the plot of land promised to her by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

"We have made so many requests but the officials have told us that the finance committee has rejected the proposal of land. I want to know whether the Chief Minister is aware that I've been denied land despite her promise on the sidelines of a news event about a year back," Swapna said.

"I've just got Rs 10 lakh and a rented house for which I'm paying rent of Rs 4,000 from my own pocket. I feel ignored," she added.

Swapna was promised a plot close to the Sports Authority of India (SAI) Eastern Centre but till date nothing has been done. Soon after winning the Asian Games gold, Swapna had urged the West Bengal government to help her get a house in the city as she does not have a permanent address here.

Swapna has been training at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) Eastern Training Centre since 2012.

( With inputs from IANS )

Tags: indiaWest BengalEastern Centre
Open in App

Related Stories

National‘Operation Sindoor Is India’s Policy Against Terrorism’: PM Narendra Modi’s Strong Message To Pak

National‘This Is Not the Era of War, but This Is Also Not the Era of Terrorism’: PM Narendra Modi On India-Pakistan Tensions (Watch Video)

National‘Pani Or Khoon Eksath Nahi Beh Sakte’: PM Modi On Suspension Of Indus Waters Treaty

NationalIndia-Pakistan Ceasefire: Donald Trump Claims the US Administration Stopped Nuclear War

NationalPM Narendra Modi's Address to The Nation Live Streaming: When and Where to Watch Prime Minister’s First Speech After India-Pakistan Ceasefire

Other Sports Realted Stories

Other SportsNSCI Snooker: Ishpreet Chadha outsmarts Pankaj Advani in Baulkline final

Other SportsHis impact on Indian cricket will be felt for decades to come: BCCI hails Kohli on legendary Test career

Other SportsJ-K team, staying strong, hoped for podium finishes in KIYG Kalarippayattu competition

Other SportsKIYG 2025: Maharashtra’s Pardeshi breaks three youth national weightlifting records on way to 81kg gold

Other SportsIndia wins 19 medals as Korea tops medals table in Dubai Para-Badminton International