In order to improve India’s performance at Olympics and Paralympics, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS) started the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) in September 2014. This was revamped in April 2018 to establish a technical support team for managing the TOPS athletes and providing holistic support. The scheme is fully functional and has been extending all requisite support to probable athletes identified for the 2020 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games including foreign training, international competition, equipment and coaching camp besides monthly stipend of Rs. 50,000/- for each athlete.
TOPS (Target Olympic Podium Scheme) is a flagship program of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports which is an attempt to provide assistance to India’s top athletes. The Scheme looks to add a premium to the preparations of these athletes so that they can win medals in the Olympics.
The TOPS sponsored athletes gained relative success at the 2016 Rio Olympics and the 2018 Commonwealth Games.P V Sindhu and Sakshi Malik captured silver and bronze in Badminton and Wrestling respectively at the 2016 Rio Olympics. In the 2016 Paralympic Games, the TOPS Athletes won 2 Gold, 1 Silver and 1 Bronze demonstrating the effectiveness of the SchemeThe recent success of the Commonwealth Games emphasized the efficacy of the Scheme.Out of the 70 athletes who won medals at the CWG, 47 of them were supported under the TOP Scheme.
The Mission Olympic Cell is a dedicated body created to assist the athletes who are selected under the TOP SchemeThe MOC is under the Chairmanship of the Director General, Sports Authority (DG, SAI). The Committee meetings are attended by representatives of respective National Sports Federations (NSFs) and Project Officers of the SAI besides other members.The idea of the MOC is to debate, discuss and decide the processes and methods so that the athlete receives best assistance.The MOC also focuses on selection, exclusion and retention of athletes, coaches, training institutes that can receive TOPS assistance.Some of the functions that the MOC are enumerated below-
To approve customized programs for athletes chosen under the TOP Scheme.
To recommend financial disbursement for the customized programs.
To support, monitor and review progress of athletes in accordance with the training programs.
To take decisions on sudden and unanticipated requirements/needs of athletes.
To communicate regularly with the athletes on their progress, requirements and perspectives.
To engage implementation partner agencies to carry out/execute any or all the above functions.
To ensure documentation/contractual obligations of beneficiaries.
To deliver sponsor/commercial partner/media commitment under the NSDF TOP Scheme.
The Mission Olympic Cell (MOC) conducts a meeting every week in order to evaluate the proposals of the athletes. The Committee is also responsible for periodically conducting review of athlete’s progress and performances. Based on the Committee’s recommendation, athletes may be included, retained or excluded from the TOP Scheme.
With a view to provide additional impetus in the preparation of Olympic probable for Tokyo 2021, Paris 2024 and Los Angeles 2028, TOPS NCOE are being set up in 14 priority disciplines.
By talent identification and and national sports federation
As per gap analysis of center
SAI coaches from existing pool and contractual/deputation hiring.
Through khelo india scheme
Hiring of requisite staff being done on contract
SAI Schemes
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