I’m absolutely shocked: Ashwini Ponnappa attacks SAI for ‘wrongfully’ claiming Rs 1.5 crore help

Indian badminton star Ashwini Ponnappa has raised serious questions about the financial support she received from the Sports Authority of India (SAI) in the build-up to the Paris Olympics. The doubles specialist, who has been a stalwart of Indian badminton for over a decade, expressed shock and disbelief at the SAI’s claim of providing substantial financial assistance.

Did Ponnappa actually get Rs 1.5 cr?

The SAI had released a document detailing the financial support extended to Indian athletes participating in the Paris Olympics. According to the document, Ashwini received ₹4,50,000 under the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) and a staggering ₹1,48,04,080 under the Annual Calendar for Training and Competition (ACTC).

Ponnappa denying financial assistance from SAI

However, Ponnappa vehemently denied receiving any significant individual financial assistance. She clarified that the ₹1.5 crore mentioned by the SAI was actually spent on the entire national camp and not specifically allocated to her. The 34-year-old also revealed that she has been bearing the expenses of her personal trainer and has been managing her career independently until recently being included in the TOPS scheme.

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Ponnappa is ‘absolutely shocked’

“I’m absolutely shocked… I don’t mind not getting money but telling the nation that I got money is ridiculous. I haven’t received it. Like if you’re talking about national camp, then that ₹1.5 Crore is spent on all the campers,” Ashwini told PTI. “I don’t have a specific coach. As for my personalised trainer, I’m paying for him myself. I’m not taking money from anyone. I’ve played on my own until November (2023). I was included as part of TOPS only after we qualified…”

Ashwini, a veteran of the badminton circuit, has clinched a gold, a silver, and a bronze medal in the Commonwealth Games, representing India at the London and Rio Olympics alongside her former partner Jwala Gutta.

Promise from SAI

A SAI source attempted to justify the ₹1.48 crore expenditure, stating that it covered Ashwini’s travel, accommodation, food, competition fees, and daily allowances for all the tournaments she participated in as part of the Indian team during the Paris Olympic cycle. This amount, the source clarified, was disbursed to the Badminton Association of India (BAI) under the ACTC scheme.

Ashwini’s partnership with N Sikki Reddy ended in August 2022, and she subsequently teamed up with Tanisha Crasto in December of the same year. The duo began competing in international tournaments from January 2023.