Dipa Karmakar, who became India's first woman gymnast to qualify for Olympics - - will receive the sports ministry's funding of up to Rs. 30 lakh under the Target Olympic Scheme (TOPS), it was announced on Monday.
Dipa, who is an Asian bronze medallist, qualified in the artistic gymnastics event at Rio after collecting 52. 698 points in the test event.
"Congrats Dipa Karmakar. By virtue of Oly qualification joins TOPS that entitles her 4 additional assistance of 30 lacs 4 customised training, " the Sports Authority of India (SAI) wrote on Twitter.
The ministry of youth affairs and sports (Department of Sports) has formulated the TOP scheme for identifying and supporting potential medal prospects for the 2016 and 2020 Olympic Games.
Besides being the first Indian woman, Dipa will also be an Indian gymnast qualifying for the quadrennial extravaganza after 52 long years.
The last participation by India in gymnastics at Olympics was way back in 1964, but during that time there was no qualification system in place.