Diksha Dagar, Yash Ghangas included in Target Olympic Podium Scheme

What is the news?

Haryana-based golfer Diksha Dagar and Judoka Yash Ghangas have been included in the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) in the Core and Development groups respectively. 

Moreover, Mission Olympic Cell (MOC) has approved financial assistance for wrestlers Bajrang Punia and Sunil Kumar for foreign exposure training.

What is the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS)?

The scheme was launched by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS) in 2014.

Aim: To provide assistance to India’s top athletes so that they can win medals in the Olympics.

The assistance is provided through foreign training, international competition, equipment and coaching camp besides monthly stipend of Rs. 50,000/- for each athlete.

The scheme was revamped in 2018 to establish a technical support team for managing the TOPS athletes and providing holistic support.

What is the Mission Olympic Cell?

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

The MOC is under the Chairmanship of the Director General, Sports Authority.

The idea of the MOC is to debate, discuss and decide the processes and methods so that the athlete receives best assistance.

Source: This post is based on the article “Diksha Dagar, Yash Ghangas included in Target Olympic Podium Scheme” published in PIB on 12^th January 2022.