I may have to quit TOP scheme: shot putter Inderjeet Singh

Kolkata: Reigning Asian shot put champion Inderjeet Singh said on Tuesday he may quit the Target Olympic Podium (TOP) scheme of the sports ministry if he does not get the required support to prepare himself for next year's Rio Olympics.

"For the last few months I am in constant contact with the sports ministry, I require Rs.30 lakh to go to go abroad and practice but they are not providing me the financial assistance. They are also saying that my coaches would not be allowed to accompany me, how can I practice without them? So I may quit TOP," Inderjeet told reporters here ahead of the 55th National Open Athletics Championship where he will compete.

The World University games gold medalist said he wants to go out and perform for the country, and has come here to test his preparations for the 2016 Olympics.

"I want to prove myself before Rio, I want to see how well prepared I am," he said.

The 27-year-old shot putter, who weighs 150 kg and stands at 6'4, promised to grind it out for the country if the sports ministry allows him to travel to the US where he wants to train.

"I am prepared to die for the country doing what I love the most -- athletics. But for making sure I can contest against the best, I need to go to USA and train," he said.

Inderjeet also added that there is not much of a difference between him and foreign athletes. "If they were to train in conditions such as mine, they would not be able to throw 18-19 metres even."

He also complained of not having a personal doctor.