Home / Sports / India Overhauls Athlete Funding for Olympic Gold
India Overhauls Athlete Funding for Olympic Gold
13 Apr
Summary
- Athlete evaluations will now be conducted quarterly.
- Increased support targets aquatics and cycling for medals.
- TOPS pool aims to grow to 5000 athletes by 2036.
India's sports ministry is initiating a significant overhaul of the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) to enhance the nation's performance at the Olympic Games. A key change involves moving from semi-annual to quarterly evaluations for selected athletes. This strategic shift prioritizes sports with higher medal potential, notably aquatics, cycling, and rowing. These disciplines offer a substantial number of medals in upcoming Olympics.
The revamped TOPS aims for substantial growth, with plans to expand the athlete pool to 3000 by 2032 and further to 5000 by 2036. A structured pathway will be established to integrate promising talent identified through the Khelo India and ASMITA programs into the TOPS Development and Core Groups.
This initiative builds upon the success of previous targeted funding in sports like wrestling, badminton, and shooting, which have yielded Olympic medals. The current TOPS program supports 399 athletes across various categories, providing financial allowances for training and competition.
