Athletics
TOPS evaluation for athletes now an annual process: Sports Ministry
The ministry also mulls incentives for Indian athletes-turned-coaches.
India finished with a stunning haul of 134 medals including 45 gold, 40 silver, and 49 bronze. (Representative image)
The Target Olympic Podium Scheme's (TOPS), started in 2014, is the the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports' and attempts to provide assistance to India’s top athletes.
In a change to the frequency of athlete-assessment, athletes will now be evaluated annually for promotion to or removal from the Target Olympic Podium Scheme's (TOPS) core group.
The decision was taken at the Mission Olympic Cell's 153rd meeting which was chaired by sports secretary Sujata Chaturvedi here on Wednesday.
This ends the system of biennial assessment and according to the ministry, the change is being done to ensure a more robust appraisal process that would help consistent performers and weed out those who show a dip.
🏮#JustIn | Biennial assessment for athletes scrapped!
— The Bridge (@the_bridge_in) February 12, 2025
Athletes will now be evaluated annually for promotion to or removal from the Target Olympic Podium Scheme's (TOPS) core group.
The decision was taken at the Mission Olympic Cell's 153rd meeting which was chaired by sports… pic.twitter.com/j5etCSAziH
The current TOPS core group of 179 and its developmental list of 130 were also redrawn although the names of those promoted or demoted were not known yet.
TOPS was established in 2014 to provide assistance to the most high-performing Olympic medal prospects. The core group comprises established global achievers while the developmental group is made up of promising names who are seen to be potential world-beaters.
Incentives for retired Olympians
As per PTI, the Mission Olympic Cell (MOC) is also considering higher incentives for retired Olympians who wish to take up coaching. This is being done to ensure that they do not take job opportunities outside the country.
Also, the MOC has approved an additional 60 days of domestic and international training for TOPS athletes and this would be over and above their annual competition and training schedule proposed by the National Sports Federations (NSFs).
The MOC also finalised the sub-committees to oversee progress in 12 Olympic disciplines, namely athletics, archery, badminton, boxing, hockey, rowing, shooting, table tennis, squash, weightlifting, wrestling and swimming.
