About Target Olympic Podium or TOPS scheme
- For the 2020 Tokyo Olympics specifically, a programme called the Target Olympic Podium or TOPS scheme was established in 2014 under the National Sports Development Fund (NSDF) to identify and support medal prospects.
- This scheme was refurbished in April 2018 to establish a technical support team to manage TOPS athletes and provide more comprehensive support.
- TOPS provides funding for foreign training, international competition, equipment and coaching camps, besides a monthly stipend of ₹50,000 for each sportsperson.
- While TOPS has been hailed by many sports persons, it has its drawbacks.
- Eligibility criteria: For instance, a sportsperson only becomes eligible on qualification for the Olympics. Golfer Aditi Ashok, who came within a reach of a medal in Tokyo, could not benefit from TOPS since she only qualified 60 days before the main event.
- Low monthly stipend: Even the monthly stipend of ₹50,000 has been deemed to be too low, given that several professional athletes hail from underprivileged backgrounds and have families to support.
Discover more from Free UPSC IAS Preparation For Aspirants
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
