Target Olympic Podium Scheme

Target Olympic Podium Scheme
x
Highlights

The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (Department of Sports) has formulated ‘NSDF Target Olympic Podium (TOP) Scheme’ in the National Sports Development Fund (NSDF) with the objective of identifying and supporting potential medal prospects for 2016 and 2020 Olympic Games.

The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (Department of Sports) has formulated ‘NSDF Target Olympic Podium (TOP) Scheme’ in the National Sports Development Fund (NSDF) with the objective of identifying and supporting potential medal prospects for 2016 and 2020 Olympic Games. Focused disciplines will be Athletics, Archery, Badminton, Boxing, Wrestling and Shooting.

The selected athletes will be provided financial assistance for their customized training at Institutes having world class facilities and other necessary support. Benchmark for selection of athletes under the scheme will be in relation to international standards. There will be annual/semi-annual review of performance of selected athletes.

As many as 157 athletes have been selected to provide assistance under the Target Olympic Podium (TOP) Scheme under the ambit of National Sports Development Fund (NSDF). The athletes, being assisted under the Scheme for Rio Olympics, 2016, who could not qualify for the Olympics, were taken out of the Scheme.

It may be recalled 119 sportspersons have qualified for participation in Rio Olympics, 2016, being from 5th to 21st August 2016. This is India’s largest ever contingent for Olympic Games. 57 sportspersons qualified for participation in Beijing Olympics 2008 and 81 sportspersons qualified for participation in London Olympics 2012.

Preparation for Olympic Games is an ongoing process. Training and competitive exposure to sportspersons preparing for international sports events including Olympic Games are provided under the Scheme of Assistance to National Sports Federations (NSFs) and National Sports Development Fund (NSDF).

An Elite Athletes Identification Committee has been set up with Anju Bobby George, renowned athlete as its chairperson, Pullella Gopichand and M C Mary Kom as members among others to evaluate and select potential medal prospects for 2016 and 2020 Olympic Games for support under the Target Olympic Podium (TOP) Scheme. Identified medal prospects are being provided financial assistance for their customized training at Institutes having world class facilities and other necessary support under Target Olympic Podium (TOP) Scheme.

The selected “beneficiary” player can’t receive money from any other private body. If one wants to quit TOPS scheme, one needs to give 30-day notice and refund entire grant he got. Further, in order to enhance the number of participants in the next Tokyo Olympics, the Government has set up a Mission Olympic Cell (MOC) in Sports Authority of India.

Show Full Article
Print Article
Next Story
More Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENTS