Sports minister launches TOPS
Inaugurating the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) here on Tuesday, Union Sports Minister Sarbananda Sonowal reiterated his ministry’s commitment to help the athletes achieve medals in the Olympics.
“I understand the toil and hard work of the athletes. They should be provided every input to succeed and all their requirements should be taken care of so that they can focus on their performances,” said Sonowal.
At the first meeting of TOPS, chaired by Member of Parliament Anurag Thakur, it was decided that elite athletes who are medal prospects for 2016 should be chosen and provided targeted support for training and competition.
Eminent athletes such as Olympic gold-medal winning shooter Abhinav Bindra, former cricket captain Rahul Dravid, former All England champion P. Gopi Chand, World championship medal winning long jumper Anju Bobby George and World and Olympic medallist boxer M.C. Mary Kom attended the meeting. Under TOPS, the Ministry would work closely with the NSFs and top coaches to identify the talented sportspersons and formulate specific training programme for 2016.
The scheme would include coaching the coaches, mentoring athletes and an elaborate support structure. It also aims at selecting a pool of talented young athletes who will be put under a centralised long-term programme.
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