Seven Indian Athletes Receive Australian Grant for Development
MUMBAI: In an exciting development for Indian sports, a grant from Australia’s Direct Aid Program is set to boost the potential of seven budding athletes, including para-athletes and women, through a local sports foundation.
According to a press release from the Australian Consulate in Mumbai, this collaboration marks a significant step in strengthening the ties between India and Australia.
The Direct Aid Program (DAP), which is managed by Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), provided funding for the GoSports Athlete Support Programme. This one-year initiative, running from April 2025 to March 2026, aims to empower seven emerging athletes from Maharashtra and Gujarat.
The athletes benefiting from this support are Rakesh Bhatt, Meet Thadani, Shashruti Nakade, Suyash Jadhav, Malvika Bansod, Aishwarya Mishra, and Shahu Mane. They participate in various sports including para-athletics, para-triathlon, para swimming, badminton, athletics, and shooting, all receiving equal support to help them reach their goals.
The funding is set to cover essential needs like travel and accommodation for competitions, sport-specific equipment, nutrition planning, and sports psychology services. The positive outcomes are already showing, with Shahu Mane unofficially breaking a national record after a crucial rifle replacement facilitated by the grant. Meanwhile, Malvika Bansod, recovering from an injury, competed in nine European tour events, making it to the quarterfinals at the Orleans Masters, thanks to recovery boots obtained through the program. Aishwarya Mishra also exceeded expectations by clocking 53.30 seconds, beating the Asian Games qualification mark of 53.70 seconds. Additionally, Meet Thadani achieved a personal best after a high-performance training stint at Loughborough University in the UK.
Sonali Philip, Director of Operations at GoSports Foundation, highlighted the importance of the aid, stating, “The DAP’s support helps us create more sustainable environments for our athletes. Partnerships like these transform potential into achievement by enhancing the systems around them.”
Paul Murphy, the Australian Consul General to Western India, echoed this sentiment, saying, “This partnership is making a real difference by creating pathways from grassroots to elite competition, offering opportunities for athletes of all backgrounds and abilities to thrive. It underscores Australia’s commitment to sport as a catalyst for development and reinforces the crucial role of sports in our bilateral relations.”
