India aiming at 10-plus medals from Rio: Sonowal

Kolkata, Feb 17 : India is aiming at ten-plus medals at the Rio Olympics next year, union Sports Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said here Tuesday.

The country came up with its best show in the Olympic Games at London in 2012 grabbing six medals – two silver and four bronze.

"This time, we are aiming at ten-plus medals," said Sonowal on the sidelines of the Eastern India CSR Summit here.

The ministry has devised a Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) to support athletes who are medal prospects. "We have identified seven medal prospect disciplines for the coming Olympics and identified 75 core probables. Another 75 probables will be selected shortly,'" the minister said.

The disciplines are archery, athletics, badminton, boxing, shooting, weightlifting and wrestling.