Sports Ministry approves Neeraj Chopra’s extended training in South Africa

The Sports Ministry approves Neeraj Chopra's extended training in South Africa and supports athletes in taekwondo and karate for Asian Games.

The Sports Ministry’s Mission Olympic Cell (MOC) has approved an extension of javelin throw star Neeraj Chopra’s training in South Africa till April, while green-lighting customised international exposure and coaching for athletes in taekwondo and karate ahead of this year’s Asian Games.

In its 168th meeting here on Wednesday (February 11, 2026), the MOC also sanctioned financial assistance for rising squash star Anahat Singh’s strength and conditioning coach and foreign exposure camps for para-athletes Varun Bhati and Sandeep Chaudhary.

Chopra, a two-time Olympic medal winner, began his pre-season training in his preferred South African base of Potchefstroom in January and the ministry had initially given the go-ahead for a 32-day camp.

He will now be training in Pretoria before starting his competitive season with the Doha Diamond League in May.

Overall, proposals to the tune of ₹1.70 crore from various athletes were approved in Wednesday’s (February 11, 2026) meeting.

Keeping in mind the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, the Target Asian Games Group (TAGG) has approved support for Asian Championship bronze-winning taekwondo player Rodali Barua.