New Delhi: The Sports Ministry’s Mission Olympic Cell (MOC) has approved an extension of Neeraj Chopra’s pre-season training camp in South Africa until April, providing comprehensive financial backing as the javelin ace gears up for the 2026 competitive season.
The decision was taken at the MOC’s 168th meeting on Wednesday, where members cleared the proposal to ensure the two-time Olympic medallist has adequate time and resources to fine-tune his technique and regain peak fitness after a challenging 2025 campaign.
Chopra, 28, began his pre-season training in January at Potchefstroom, one of the world’s premier high-performance centres for throwers. Initially approved for 32 days, the camp has now been extended, with Chopra set to continue preparations in Pretoria before opening his season at the Doha Diamond League in May.
Coaching Reset and Holistic Preparation
The extended stint also reflects a significant change in Chopra’s coaching set-up. The Olympic champion recently parted ways with Czech legend Jan Železný and has reunited with Jai Chaudhary, who mentored him during his formative years in Panipat. Chaudhary will oversee the pre-season block as Chopra looks to address specific technical adjustments and recurring fitness concerns.
He is also being supported by longtime physiotherapist Ishaan Marwaha, underlining a holistic approach focused on strength, conditioning and injury prevention.
Bouncing Back from a Testing 2025
Chopra endured an injury-hit 2025 season, battling an adductor niggle for much of the year. Despite the setback, he achieved a career milestone by breaching the 90-metre mark at the Doha Diamond League. However, his eighth-place finish at the World Championships in Tokyo — where he competed through discomfort — proved disappointing. He subsequently opted for rest and rehabilitation to fully recover.
The extended training period is aimed at restoring rhythm, building endurance and ensuring consistency ahead of a crucial season.
Broader Approvals by MOC and TAGG
Apart from Chopra’s proposal, the MOC approved funding proposals amounting to Rs 1.70 crore from various athletes across disciplines during Wednesday’s meeting.
In preparation for the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, the Target Asian Games Group (TAGG) cleared support for Asian Championship bronze medallist Rodali Barua.
Her participation in five international events — the Bulgaria Open, Slovenia Open, Dutch Open, Oceania Championships (all G2-level competitions offering vital Olympic ranking points), and the 4th Mount Everest International Open Taekwondo Championship in Nepal — has been sanctioned. TAGG approved Rs 21.20 lakh to facilitate her participation in February and March.
Another taekwondo athlete, Rupa Bayor, currently ranked sixth in the world and leading the Asian standings, has been sanctioned support under the TAGG scheme for a nine-month physiotherapy and strength and conditioning programme through September.
In karate, Bhuvneshwari Jadhav has received approval to compete in three international tournaments in Rome (March 11–16), China (April 8–13) and Spain (April 22–27). She will also undergo a training programme in Tashkent under foreign coach Sulaymon Sharifovich. Financial assistance of Rs 20.12 lakh has been sanctioned, covering her coach Keerthan Kondru and a sparring partner.
Additionally, financial support of Rs 5.94 lakh has been approved for karate athlete Alisha and her coach Vikas for participation in two international competitions. Both Bhuvneshwari and Alisha had won bronze medals at the 2025 Asian Championships in Uzbekistan.
The approvals reflect the government’s continued push to strengthen India’s medal prospects across disciplines ahead of major international events in 2026 and beyond.
Source: India Today, The Hindu, News 18
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