Mark my words, India will be in top-10 in 2028 Oly: Rijiju

New Delhi, June 8 (IANS) Union Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju stated that preparations are already underway with respect to the country targetting a top-10 finish at the 2028 Olympics.India have historically underwhelmed at the multi-national event, as far as medals are concerned. In the last edition of the Olympics in Rio, Indian athletes returned home with just two medals -- PV Sindhu (silver) and Sakshi Malik (bronze) -- finishing 67th on the table.The country has never managed to breach the double-digit mark with highest being six at London Olympics in 2012 -- two silvers and four bronze medals.Despite such numbers, Rijiju said the country will be targetting a record medal haul at the 2028 Olympics. Pinning hopes on junior athletes, he also said that the whole country will witness the progress at 2024 Olympics."The 2024 Games is mid-term goal but the long term is 2028. When I became sports minister I had very limited talents, potential Olympic medalists," Rijiju said during a live Instagram session with Commonwealth gold medallist Manika Batra."In 2024, we will have a potential team which can get us maximum medals. But in 2028 I've made my mind very clear we have to be in top-10. And I'm not saying just like that. Our preparation has started.""Junior athletes are our future champions, we have started our preparation in a solid way. We will see results in 2024 and will make rapid progress. But mark my words, India will be in top-10 in 2028."
--IANS pks/bbh