New Delhi, Sept 23: India's five "potential" medal winners, including shooter Anjali Bhagwat and World Athletics Championship bronze medallist Anju George, will be sponsored by Samsung India Limited till the Athens Olympics 2004. The five 'Samsung Olympic Ratnas' - Abhinav Bindra, Anjali Bhagwat, Anju George, K M Beenamol and Karnam Malleswari - will receive financial support for their training expenses till August 2004 under the Olympic fund set up by the company, Samsung India director R Zutshi told reporters here today.

The company also signed a memorandum of understanding with the Indian Olympic Association to become the official sponsor of the Indian team to the Athens Olympics in the category of consumer electronics, it and telecommunications. The MoU was signed by Zutshi and IOA president Suresh Kalmadi.

Zutshi said the company will provide a sponsorship of Rs one crore to the association out of which 50 per cent will go to the players.

"Our Olympic programme this year, seeks to not only support the entire contingent in terms of their preparations but also in a very focused manner, spot the training needs of these five very high potential athletes. We hope they can return from Athens with medals for the country," Zutshi said. Speaking on the occasion, Kalmadi urged the corporate world to come forward to support Olympic sports in the country.

"India is becoming a force in Asia and the industry should come forward to support Indian Olympic sports for better success," he said.

Bureau Report