By IANS,
Bhopal : Gold medallist at the Beijing Games Abhinav Bindra, who arrived here to a tumultuous welcome Friday, expressed the hope that India would win more medals in the London Olympics 2012, as people of the country have begun to take interest in sports other than cricket.
“People of the country have started taking interest in sports other than Cricket and if it continues then we will certainly bag more medals in the next Olympics to be held at London,” Abhinav told newspersons.
Abhinav, who was here at the invitation of the Madhya Pradesh’s sports and youth welfare department, appreciated the shooting range developed by the department with facilities for seniors and juniors. The day coincides with Sports Day in the state.
Accompanied by his father, A.S. Bindra, Abhinav participated in various programmes organised by different sports associations and the Bhopal Municipal Corporation and also distributed awards to sportspersons.
On the progress of sports in China, he said if India has to reach that level, the government will have to provide better facilities and ensure that there was no discrimination.
“Quality infrastructure and latest equipment should be provided to sportspersons. For this, the Government, various sports bodies and Indian Olympic Association will have to play a crucial role,” he said.
Additional Chief Secretary (Sports) Ranjana Chaudhry and Director (Sports) Sanjay Chaudhry said that a sum of Rs.500,000 would be awarded to Bindra at a function coinciding with hockey legend Major Dhyanchand’s birth anniversary.
Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan had made an announcement to this effect soon after Abhinav bagged the gold medal at Beijing.