Ashwini Ponnappa Denies Receiving TOPS Funding Amid Paris Olympics Controversy

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Indian badminton star Ashwini Ponnappa has firmly refuted claims suggesting she received Rs 1.50 crore from the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) for her preparation for the Paris 2024 Olympics. This denial comes in the wake of scrutiny over the performance of Indian shuttlers at the Paris Games and allegations regarding the financial support they received.

In recent weeks, Indian badminton athletes have faced criticism following a lackluster performance at the Paris Olympics. The discontent intensified after former All-England champion Prakash Padukone, who coaches Lakshya Sen, criticized the athletes for failing to secure medals despite the substantial support they were purportedly given. This backlash was further fueled by a PTI report detailing the financial backing provided to various badminton players through the TOPS scheme.

According to the PTI report, HS Prannoy, who earned a bronze medal at the 2023 World Championships and the Asian Games, was allocated Rs 1.8 crore for his training. Unfortunately, Prannoy's performance at the Paris Olympics was compromised by Chikungunya, which led to his early exit in the pre-quarterfinals.

The report also claimed that Ashwini Ponnappa and her doubles partner Tanisha Crasto each received Rs 1.5 crore in support from TOPS. The duo was eliminated in the group stages of the Paris Olympics, prompting further speculation about the adequacy of their preparation and funding.

In response to these claims, Ashwini Ponnappa has vehemently denied receiving any such financial assistance.

Taking to X (formerly Twitter), she clarified the situation with a strong statement. "The real facts are I am 'not funded' by any organisation. I was included in TOPS after our qualification, that too for the duration till the Olympics only. Haven't taken money from any of the support organisations and CSR development groups," she wrote.

Ponnappa also criticized the report for its inaccuracies, urging for fact-checking before publishing such claims. She emphasized the need for thorough verification of information, particularly when it concerns the financial details of athletes and their preparation efforts. She asked how this could be written without getting facts right and urged to get facts checked before publishing anything about them and their financials that they put in to get themselves ready for the Olympics.

She further explained that she had self-funded her participation in tournaments up until November of the previous year. Only after meeting the selection criteria for the Indian team did she receive support as part of the TOPS scheme, but this was limited to the period leading up to and including the Paris 2024 Olympics.

The controversy surrounding the funding and performance of Indian badminton players highlights the complex interplay between athlete preparation, financial support, and public expectations. Ashwini Ponnappa's clarification serves to address misinformation and underscores the challenges faced by athletes in navigating both their competitive careers and public scrutiny.