Neeraj Chopra, Manu Bhaker Lead India’s Overseas Push for CWG and Asian Games

India has stepped up preparations for the upcoming Commonwealth Games and Asian Games after the Sports Ministry cleared overseas training programmes for star athletes Neeraj Chopra , Manu Bhaker and Gulveer Singh under the government’s Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) .

The approvals were granted during the 173rd meeting of the Mission Olympic Cell headed by Sports Secretary Hari Ranjan Rao, with a focus on boosting India’s medal prospects through international exposure, scientific training and injury management.

Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra will travel to the Olympic Training Centre in Bienne from May 25 to July 10 as he continues recovery from a recurring back injury. Chopra is currently rehabilitating in Türkiye after the fitness issue disrupted his previous season and delayed his competitive return this year. His scheduled appearance at the Doha Diamond League was also postponed amid tensions in the Gulf region.

The 28-year-old javelin star, who won gold medals at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and the 2018 and 2022 Asian Games, is expected to compete in both major events later this year. The Switzerland camp is particularly significant because Bienne served as a major training base during the build-up to his historic gold medal at the 2020 Summer Olympics.

Chopra will be accompanied by coach Jai Choudhary and physiotherapist Ishaan Marwaha. The Sports Authority of India said the sanctioned proposal includes airfare, accommodation, medical insurance, food, visa expenses and transportation support for training equipment. Reports also indicate Chopra could miss the Rome Diamond League as part of a cautious rehabilitation strategy, opening an opportunity for rising Indian thrower Sachin Yadav.

Meanwhile, double Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker has left for a short training stint in Lucca alongside coach Jaspal Rana and physiotherapist Snehil Khurana. Bhaker will focus on preparations for the Asian Games, where she is expected to compete in the women’s 10m air pistol and 25m pistol events after shooting was excluded from the Commonwealth Games programme.

The Mission Olympic Cell also approved a 34-day exposure trip to the United States for long-distance runner Gulveer Singh. Gulveer, who recently broke the national half-marathon record with a timing of 59:42 in New York, will compete in elite races in Los Angeles and Nashville as part of his preparations for the international season.