India at TOPS!!

 

 If Private players are coming up to spread and build a sporting culture in the nation and thus aspire for Medals at Olympics, Government isn't far behind....

In 2014, Under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, GoI, TOPS scheme (Short for Target Olympic Podium Scheme) was launched, goal of which is to facilitate talented athletes to aspire BIG!! To aspire for that coveted Medal at the biggest event on earth.....Under TOPS scheme, GoI provides financial assistance and other necessary help needed to Dream Big... Under the scheme, athletes get customized training from top coaches at best sporting facilities available. Assistance is given in sports related equipment and sports support staff et al.

In addition to these benefits, selected athletes are given out-of-pocket allowance of fixed sum as an incentive. Some of the sports are given "High Priority" status namely archery, boxing, badminton, wrestling, hockey and shooting. In the year 2020, GoI launched a similar scheme called "Junior TOPS" to target 2028 Olympics, targeted group of children as young as 10-12 years!

How are Athletes selected for TOPS scheme?

For this a special body called "Mission Olympic Cell (MOC)" under Sports Authority of India (SAI) is formed that first identify and then supports the athletes selected under TOPS scheme.

MOC has been given following tasks......

  • Approving training programs for athletes.
  • Financial disbursements' recommendation.
  • Forming reporting structure.
  • Supporting, monitoring and reviewing training programs of the athletes.
  • Taking decisions on immediate requirements of the athletes.
  • Adding and Deleting names under the program of the athletes.
  • Analyzing the standing of the athletes, suggesting them changes, mentoring them among others.

Currently there are 148 athletes training under the program for Paris 2024....

We can just hope and pray that many Indians will TOP under the TOPS scheme.....!! 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Olympic Gold Quest - The Initiative

  No Magic can be done without a TEAM, No sportsperson can win medals especially at the biggest sporting platform on earth without a sporting infrastructure. For Indian sportsperson, dearth of sporting infrastructure is the biggest hurdle that they have to overcome rather than the competitors of other nations. Slowly but steadily this important hurdle is being tried to be mitigated. Olympic Gold Quest (OGQ) is one such initiative which is an important milestone for the ultimate goal to realize India's Olympics Dreams!! Olympic Gold Quest (OGQ) is a program of the Foundation for Promotion of Sports and Games, a Not for Profit Company. The aim is to bridge the gap between the best of India and the best of the World, which will ensure that not only can Indians compete at the big stage but also can step in that coveted Podium!! Thing is very clear, the goal is no longer is to just take part, but make it BIG!! Founded in the year 2001 by the Sporting Greats like Geet Sethi and Prakash P...
Read more