PV Sindhu set to return to action in January, TOPS sanctions physio and fitness trainer to accompany her

PV Sindhu set to return to action in January, TOPS sanctions physio and fitness trainer to accompany her

PV SINDHU

PV Sindhu

Olympic medallist PV Sindhu is gearing up to play her first tournament post-pandemic. Sindhu will be taking part in three tournaments in Thailand in January 2021. She will kick off with the Yonex Thailand Open from January 12-17. The Toyota Thailand Open from January 19-24 will follow it. And will finish the month with the World Tour Finals in Bangkok, subject to qualification, from January 27-31.

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The 2019 World Champion played her last competitive match at this year’s All England Open in March, where she reached the quarter-finals. The government has sanctioned her request to have her physio and fitness trainer accompany her for these three tournaments.

Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) sanctioned an approximate cost of Rs. 8.25 lakhs services of her physio and trainer for these three tournaments according to a statement. TOPS is a flagship program of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports which is an attempt to provide assistance to India’s top athletes.

Preparations in full swing for Tokyo 2020

PV Sindhu

The reigning world champion has already qualified for the Tokyo Games. The carnival of sports has been postponed to a date not later than the summer of 2021 due to the pandemic. Sindhu is giving it her all to ensure that she gives her best for India at the grand stage. The ace shuttler had earlier flown to London to work on body analysis and nutrition.

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Sindhu had earlier shared that heading to Tokyo Olympics as a World Champion was an added advantage.

“It (world champion tag) is an added advantage as well. But I have to make sure… the responsibilities are going to be a lot. Compared to 2016, it’s going to be very different, people’s expectations are a lot more. I understand that. I go with a mindset that I have to give my best and give my 100 percent. That’s how I am going to approach it. I am confident that I will do well,” PV Sindhu had told India Today.

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