Mumbai, Dec 13 (PTI) Pune-based NGO Lakshya, which identifies and nurtures sporting talent, today launched its operations in the metropolis. Besides Pune, it currently has operations in Nashik, Kolhapur, Ahmedabad, Surat and Vadodara. Lakshya at present supports sportspersons from six disciplines -- shooting, boxing, tennis, badminton, cricket and chess. The organisation plans to help at least 12 athletes to qualify for the 2016 Rio Olympics, after five of its supported players made it through to the London Games. Started three years ago, it supports over 50 players, including Rahi Sarnobat (shooting), V Diju (badminton), Ashwini Ponappa (badminton), Jwala Gutta (badminton)and Jai Bhagwan (boxing), who qualified for the London Olympics. "We want to help the players, especially on mental and physical aspects as those are the areas which are not looked at. Our aim is to support the players from grassroots level. "Financial issue is very important. Whatever support we give them will definitely benefit them. We need to look after the coaches and they also need to be paid well," said Lakshya mentor and former chief national cricket selector, Kiran More. "The more people qualify for the Olympics, the more medals we will get," he added. PTI DS RSY AH PM RYS
