"However, very few sports persons are sent to ASI after a rigorous selection process by their respective command centres spread across the country. Inter-command tournaments are organised followed by Inter Service Sports Championships, and the players who emerge victorious in the latter are then sent to participate in the Nationals and international events," Ankit Khatana, a former national boxing champion and gold medalist at the 2019 South Asian Games told Sputnik India on Thursday.
"More importantly, the Armed Forces continue to support athletes even after their active sports careers end. For example, when an athlete retires from a particular sport, they are typically assigned a coaching position at a designated center. Additionally, their promotions within the forces are expedited," emphasised the silver medalist from the 2018 AIBA Youth World Boxing Championships.
"After joining the Uttarakhand Police, I received tremendous support from my seniors, particularly from then-Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Alok Sharma," Rawat shared in a conversation with Sputnik India. "When I won a gold medal at the Indian Police Championships in Dehradun in 2017, he arranged for me to train in Pithoragarh, where I was provided with personal coaches, and the expenses were covered by the state police."
"The officer was the one who pushed me to the limits. In fact, I wouldn't have become an Olympian if he had not supported me to the hilt," stated Rawat, who now serves as the chief sports coach for the Uttarakhand Police.