The Sports Authority of India (SAI) has increased its backing for Indian weightlifting by investing nearly Rs 1.95 crore in international competition exposure and extended national coaching camps. This move comes as Indian lifters participate in the Asian Senior Weightlifting Championships in Gandhinagar. The government allocated about Rs 70.45 lakh for India’s involvement in the ongoing championships in Gujarat, with a team of 22 athletes, six coaches, five support staff, and three referees.
SAI has also greenlit two elite national coaching camps from April 1 to August 31 at Weightlifting Warriors, Modinagar, and the Netaji Subhas National Institute of Sports in Patiala. These camps, funded with ₹60.23 lakh and ₹64.75 lakh respectively, aim to prepare senior male and female lifters for upcoming international events and qualification pathways related to the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games cycle. Each camp includes ten athletes and is managed by SAI Lucknow and SAI NSNIS Patiala.
The dual-camp approach is structured to provide continuous training, recovery management, and technical oversight over an extended period. It offers athletes access to specialized coaching and sports science support, uniting India’s top weightlifters under a centralized system focused on enhancing consistency and readiness for international competitions.
