New Delhi: Beijing Olympics quarterfinalist Akhil Kumar and London Olympics bronze medallist MC Mary Kom have been appointed as National Observers for boxing, while Beijing Olympics gold medallist Abhinav Bindra will do the honours in shooting, says a press release from the Government of India.

The National Observers will assist the Government, Sports Authority of India, and National Sports Federations (NSFs) concerned, including Indian Olympic Association in the preparation and implementation of the long term development plan with respect to high priority and priority sports covering all aspects including selection policy, quality specifications for National Camps, long term athlete development plan, coaching development, development of technical officials and monitoring & evaluation of athlete performance.

Apart from providing inputs for their respective disciplines, the National Observers would also to be consulted as a group on crosscutting issues impacting sports development in the country.

The National Observers would be playing a key role in implementation of action plans for Mission Olympics 2020, 2024 and 2028.

Government has designated the following Olympians as National Observers for the disciplines mentioned against each of them:-