Renowned Olympian and World Championship silver medallist archer Atanu Das, along with other prominent athletes, has been reinstated into the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS). Among these sportspersons are rifle shooter Mehuli Ghosh and the young talent, 15-year-old Tilottama Sen. Sen recently made her mark in the International Shooting Sport Federation World Cup 2023 held in Cairo, Egypt, where she won bronze in the 10m air rifle event.
The recent additions to TOPS included 27 new athletes, bringing the total count of athletes on the TOPS roster to a staggering 270. This figure includes 101 in the Core set and a further 169 listed in development.
Unpackaging the Target Olympic Podium Scheme
The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS), in a bid to enhance India’s stature in Olympic and Paralympic competitions, initiated the Target Olympic Podium Scheme in September 2014. To optimize the functioning of the scheme, it underwent a revamp in April 2018.
Post-revamp, the scheme encompassed a proficient technical support team to manage the participating athletes and offer comprehensive support. The Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports shoulders the responsibility of appointing members to the TOPS, prioritizing representation from high-priority sports. These include archery, badminton, boxing, hockey, shooting, and wrestling.
The evidence of the scheme’s success lies in the achievements of Indian athletes at global sporting events. Players sponsored by TOPS performed commendably in the 2016 Rio Olympics and the 2018 Commonwealth Games. P V Sindhu and Sakshi Malik secured silver and bronze medals in badminton and wrestling at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Furthermore, at the 2016 Paralympic Games, TOPS athletes claimed two gold, one silver, and one bronze medal, underscoring the scheme’s efficiency. At the Commonwealth Games, a substantial number of medal winners-47 out of 70 were beneficiaries of the TOP Scheme.
Navigate through Mission Olympic Cell and National Sports Development Fund
To ensure streamlined assistance to athletes chosen under the TOP Scheme, a dedicated body titled ‘Mission Olympic Cell’ (MOC) has been established. The MOC operates under the Chairmanship of the Director General, Sports Authority of India.
The National Sports Development Fund (NSDF), formed in November 1998 under the Charitable Endowments Act, 1890, serves to foster sports and games across the country. The NSDF plays an instrumental role in the functioning of TOPS across various disciplines.
Looking Forward: Upcoming Olympic Events
The global sporting community awaits with bated breath for four major Olympic events set to occur in the next decade:
– Summer Olympics 2024, set to take place in Paris, France
– Winter Olympics 2026, slated for Milan-Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy
– Summer Olympics 2028, due in Los Angeles, USA
– Summer Olympics 2032, scheduled in Brisbane, Australia
What Does the Government Have in Store for Sports Promotion?
In its quest to promote sports, the government of India has undertaken numerous initiatives like the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyaan, Fit India Movement, Khelo India, and the SAI Training Centers Scheme. In addition, it introduced the National Sports Talent Search Portal, National Sports Awards Scheme, National Youth Festival, and more. These programs aim at discovering and nurturing talent, encouraging sports participation, and rewarding sporting achievements at various levels.