New Delhi, June 24 (IANS): The sports ministry on Wednesday announced it has sanctioned financial assistance of Rs.9 lakh to Saina Nehwal on the ace woman singles shuttler's request for a full-time exclusive physiotherapist from June to the end of 2016 Olympics.

"The assistance will be utilised for payment of monthly remuneration to the physiotherapist at the rate of Rs.60,000 per month. The selection of physiotherapist has been done by Saina Nehwal herself," the ministry said in a release.

Olympic bronze medallist Saina has been selected under Target Olympic Podium (TOP) Scheme for financial assistance from National Sports Development Fund (NSDF) for training as part of preparation for the 2016 Olympics.

The World No.2 is currently training in Bengaluru at the Prakash Padukone Badminton Academy at Karnataka Badminton Association.

"The financial assistance from National Sports Development Fund (NSDF), approved for the physiotherapist, is out of the contribution made by the India Infrastructure Finance Company Limited (IIFCL), under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, to the TOP Scheme under the NSDF," the release added.

IIFCL has committed Rs.30 crore to the ministry for three years.