Thursday 29 October 2015

TARGET OLYMPIC PODIUM SCHEME (TOPS)

Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (Department of Sports) have 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. 

Outcomes and Progress: 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.

A Committee namely, ‘TOP Scheme Elite Athletes Identification Committee’ has been constituted under the Chairmanship of Shri Anurag Thakur, M.P. for laying down elaborate norms for selection of the right candidates, review of performance and operation of the scheme. Shri Rahul Dravid, Shri Pullela Gopichand, Shri Abhinav Bindra and Ms MC Mary Kom are among other members in the Committee. As on 28th April 2015, the Committee, after detailed deliberations, has decided on athletes in the following disciplines for assistance under the scheme:

(i)Athletics (19 athletes) (Athletes for 4x400 Women’s Relay Team and Race Walking Team are yet to be identified)
(ii) Archery (16 archers) (yet to be identified)
(iii) Badminton (6 Players)
(iv) Boxing (8 boxers)
(v)Shooting (17 shooters)
(vi) Wrestling (7 wrestlers)
(vii)Yachting (2 sailors)

36 athletes have so far agreed to join the Scheme. 20 have submitted their programmes. Some of these programmes have been approved and assistance has started flowing to the athletes.


India Infrastructure Finance Company Limited (IIFCL), a PSU under the Ministry of Finance, has agreed to contribute Rs. 30 crore to National Sports Development Fund (NSDF) by contribution of Rs. 10 crore per annum for next three years. Contribution of Rs. 10 crore for 2015-16 has already been received.

Benefits that have accrued or will accrue: Customized training at Institutes having world class facilities and other necessary support is being provided to the elite athletes, which would result in improved performance and a higher position in medals tally for the country in international sports events and mega-sports events.

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