Sports Authority of India
Target Olympic Podium Scheme
Objective
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 Scheme currently supports 98 TOPS Core Group athletes across 13 sports disciplines & Hockey (M & W) teams and 165 TOPS Development Group athletes across 12 sports disciplines.
Sports Authority of India
History of the Scheme
In order to realize India’s Olympic medal dream, at the 2016 (Rio) and 2020 (Tokyo) Olympics, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS) established the Target Olympics Podium Scheme (TOPS or TOP Scheme) in September 2014. To fulfill the objective of this scheme, a committee (TOPS Elite Athletes’ Identification Committee) was constituted to identify the elite athletes who could achieve the Olympic podium.The Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports is responsible for appointment of TOPS members with emphasis on ensuring representation from ‘High-Priority’ sports (Archery, Badminton, Boxing Hockey, Shooting and Wrestling).
The total members of the committee are to be decided by MYAS.TOPS constitution does not stipulate minimum/maximum members for the committee. The first committee was constituted under the chairmanship of Shri. Anurag Thakur (MP) and comprised of eminent athletes (Pulella Gopichand, Rahul Dravid, Abhinav Bindra, and Manisha Malhotra) and sports administrators from Sport Authority of India (SAI) and the MYAS [DG SAI and JS (Sports).
Sports Authority of India
Recent Success
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.
Sports Authority of India
Mission Olympic Cell
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.
- 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.
Sports Authority of India
Selection and Review Committee
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.
Sports Authority of India
TOPS - NCOES
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.
- Erstwhile Jr. Campers are being inducted into these TOPS NCOE.
- Selection of athletes is being done in collaboration with the National Sport Federations (NSF).
Athlete Selection
By talent identification and and national sports federation.
Equipment Support
As per gap analysis of center.
Coaches
SAI coaches from existing pool and contractual/deputation hiring.
Funding
Through khelo india scheme.
Science Staff Selection
Hiring of requisite staff being done on contract
Stakeholders
Sports Authority of India, National Sports Federation, Academy/Centres(SAI/NON-SAI)
