Target Olympic Podium Scheme 2020 | UPSC

OBJECTIVE

• The Target Olympic Podium Scheme is a flagship program of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports .
• The scheme 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 Olympic medals.

• The idea of the Scheme is to also keep an eye in the future and fund a Developmental Group of Athletes .

HIGH PRIORITY SPORTS IDENTIFIED

• Presently, nine sports disciplines have been identified viz.,

HISTORY OF THE SCHEME

• Target Olympics Podium Scheme (TOPS or TOP Scheme) was established in September 2014.

• The Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports is responsible for appointment of TOPS members.
• The total members of the committee are to be decided by MYAS.
• TOPS constitution does not stipulate minimum/maximum members for the committee.

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.
• The 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.

MISSION OLYMPIC CELL (MOC)

• The Mission Olympic Cell is a dedicated body created to assist the athletes who are selected under the TOP Scheme.

• The idea of the MOC is to debate, discuss and decide the processes and methods so that the athlete receives best assistance.
• The MOC also focuses on selection, exclusion and retention of athletes, coaches, training institutes that can receive TOPS assistance.

FUNCTIONS OF MOC

1. To approve customized programs for athletes chosen under the TOP Scheme.
2. To recommend financial disbursement for the customized programs.
3.  To support, monitor and review progress of athletes in accordance with the training programs.
4. To set a regular reporting structure on the athletes’ training program.
5. To take decisions on sudden and unanticipated requirements/needs of athletes.
6. To communicate regularly with the athletes on their progress, requirements and perspectives
7. To engage implementation partner agencies to carry out/execute any or all the above functions.
8. To ensure documentation/contractual obligations of beneficiaries.
9. To deliver sponsor/commercial partner/media commitment under the NSDF TOP Scheme

SCHEME OF ASSISTANCE

• Over and above what is planned under the Annual Calendar of Training and Competition (ACTC).

ASSISTANCE TO ATHLETE

(a) Customized training under reputed coaches at institutes having world-class facilities.

(b) Participation in international competition.

(c) Purchase of equipment.

(d) Services of support staff/personnel like Physical Trainer, Sports Psychologist, Mental Trainer and Physiotherapist etc.

(e) Any other support specific to the sport discipline.

(f) Out-of-pocket allowance of Rs. 50,000/- (Rupees fifty thousand only) a month to the athletes as an incentive

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.