NEW DELHI: Shooter
Priya Singh, who is one of the six candidates shortlisted to represent India in the 50m rifle prone at the ISSF Junior World Cup to be held in Germany, from June 22, but is in danger of missing out on the event due to lack of funds, has received support from
Sports Authority of India
, which has promised to look after the 19-year-old shooter and help improve her scores.
ALSO READ: Labourer's daughter makes it to shooting Junior World Cup, but doesn't have funds to goTOI had earlier reported that Priya, who made it to the event with a borrowed rifle, did not have the finances to support her career since the government only provides assistance to the top three - Priya had finished fourth. However,
Neelam Kapur
,
SAI
's Director General has come out to offer help to the shooter. Accoring to a tweet sent out by Kapur, Priya "will be provided all facilities to help her improve her scores and make it to the Indian team."
National Rifle Association
of India (NRAI) secretary Rajiv Bhatia had earlier told TOI that it fully supports Priya and they are helping her out with the gun permit so that she is able to participate in the event.
"As far as financial assistance is concerned, our hands are tied. The government takes care of all expenses, including ammunition, for the top three participants. The remaining ones have to take care of their travel and stay," Bhatia had said.
Priya and her father, 50-year-old labourer Brijpal Singh, have approached everyone - from chief minister Yogi Adityanath to Prime Minister Narendra Modi - but to no avail. "I work under a contractor and earn Rs 10,000 a month. I use this amount to feed my family, including my four children," Brijpal had told TOI.
He said he also spoke with moneylenders but they were not willing to give him a loan.