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    Budget talk: Abhinav Bindra reveals how his family managed expenses so he could focus on being a professional shooter

    Synopsis

    The Olympian says striking a balance between expenses and investments needs patience.

    Abhinav Bindra thinks sports in India need investmentAgencies
    Abhinav Bindra thinks sports in India need investment.
    Gold medallist and entrepreneur Abhinav Bindra discusses his relationship with money and how to hit bull’s eye:

    On following the Budget closely as a sportsman-turned-entrepreneur
    The Budget is something I believe every Indian should pay attention to, as it affects all our lives. Being an entrepreneur, I look to see what the Budget signifies in terms of the government’s commitment to sport and healthcare, two sectors that impact the work I do at my performance centre.

    On managing training expenses back then while being a professional shooter
    I received a great amount of support from the Mittal Sporting Trust, as well as contributions in kind from shooting equipment manufacturers. Other than that, I was fortunate to have a family that supported me and managed expenses that I could focus solely on the sport.

    On striking a balance between expenses and investmentsThe primary goal is to work within my means, and place investments in initiatives that I care about, and have the faith in them to reap rewards in the long run. I understand that such concepts involve patience, and I am willing to see them through, provided the cause and dedication of the stakeholders remain undeterred.

    ​Abhinav Bindra discusses tips to hit the bull’s eye with your finances.Agencies
    Abhinav Bindra discusses tips to hit the bull’s eye with your finances.

    On the tax reforms implemented in the past few years
    I am optimistic about how these reforms can benefit the average Indian in the long run. In many cases, the idea is great. What remains to be seen is how the government can manage execution and adaptability to ensure the goals are met, and the country benefits as a whole.

    Sectors the government should focus on
    I have seen a renewed commitment to sport from the government, which is heartening. Sports in India need investment. And CSR funding from big corporations is critical. My foundation, which uses sports science and technology to help grassroots athletes of various sports gain physical self-awareness, is just one of the many causes that both the government and corporations ought to focus on and contribute in whatever way possible.

    On improving income tax collections
    It is important that as people have been provided a platform to thrive in this country, a platform should be established to see that no one is left behind. The logistics of it, I still think need to be formulated better.

    On transforming budgetary allocation for sports into tangible results like Olympic medals
    By ensuring that more corporations and well-wishers understand the effect that their contributions can generate, the government can look to organisations in the sector to step up and leverage that interest into creating world champions. The talent is there. The support has been vastly increasing, but it can be a lot more.


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