New Delhi, Jan 15: The Sports Ministry today cleared the three Indian athletes qualified for next month’s Winter Olympics at government cost despite the trio taking part in the Sochi Games as Independent Athletes.
Shiva Keshavan (in luge), Himanshu Thakur (in alpine skiing) and Nadeem Iqbal (cross country skiing) have been cleared by the government for the February 7-23 Games after a meeting chaired by Sports Minister Jitendra Singh.
The Ministry decided to provide the funds for air travel, out of pocket allowance, for sports kit including ceremonial dress, and boarding and lodging in case it is not provided free in the Games Village in Sochi.
“The Ministry has directed SAI to release funds to WGFI immediately for the required components under the Scheme of Assistance to NSFs for the three sportspersons and three coaches who would be accompanying them,” a Sports Ministry release stated.
“It included (i) Air passage cost (economy class): as per actuals or differential of the actual air passage cost and the air passage cost provided by the Organizing Committee of the Games. (ii) Out of pocket allowance: USD 50 per day per person for the period of the stay of the sportspersons and coaches in Sochi. (iii) Sports Kit including ceremonial dress: Rs. 20,000 per person, (iv) Boarding and lodging: as per norms provided in the Ministry’s Scheme of Assistance to NSFs, in case Organizing Committee of the Games is not providing free boarding and lodging in the Games Village,” it added.
The Ministry, however, delayed the sanction of the funds related to buying of expensive equipments for Himanshu and Iqbal requested by the Winter Games Federation of India. (PTI)
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Milne will vie with the experienced Kyle Mills, Tim Southee and Mitchell McClenaghan for frontline pace spots. All-rounders Corey Anderson and Jimmy Neesham are also a part of the pace attack.
Edgar said New Zealand now face one of their toughest challenges at home against a side ranked at the top in the 50-over game and number two in Tests.
“We know we’ll have to play out of our skins, and out match them player for player to be competitive against such a powerful side. But we showed against the West Indies that we can play extremely well on our day and are capable of beating any side,” he said.
New Zealand head coach Mike Hesson said the team is fully
aware of the challenges that lie ahead.
“Matching yourself against the best in the world is what you play international cricket for and I know the guys are buzzing about this opportunity. It’s also an important part of our build-up for next year’s World Cup where India are the defending champions,” he said.
The squad for the two Test matches, which follow the ODI series, will be named later this month.
After Sunday’s match here, the five match series will continue to Hamilton (January 22 and 28), Auckland (January 25), and Wellington (January 31), before two tests in Auckland and Wellington.
New Zealand ODI squad to face India:
Brendon McCullum (captain), Martin Guptill, Jesse Ryder, Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, Corey Anderson, Luke Ronchi, Jimmy Neesham, Nathan McCullum, Tim Southee, Kyle Mills, Mitchell McClenaghan, Adam Milne. (PTI)
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