Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) is a flagship program of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports that attempts to assist India's top athletes. The Scheme aims to improve these athletes' training so they can compete for medals in the Olympics. As of 2022, the Scheme supports 269 TOPS Development Group athletes across 12 sports disciplines and 104 TOPS Core Group athletes across 13 sports disciplines, including Hockey (Men and women) teams.

Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) is one of the most important topics for the UPSC IAS exam. It covers a significant part of the Government Schemes subject in the General Studies Paper-2 syllabus and current events of national importance in UPSC prelims.

In this article, we shall detail the history, significance, and objectives of the Target Olympic Podium Scheme UPSC. The UPSC aspirants can also take the help of Testbook's UPSC Free Coaching to boost their UPSC Exam preparation! You can also study other major topics related to UPSC IAS Exams with Testbook!

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What is Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS)?

The Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) is a significant endeavor by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports to assist India's elite athletes. Its objective is to elevate the training of these athletes, with the ultimate goal of securing Olympic medals.

TOPS Scheme Recent Successes

The Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) sponsored athletes gained relative success at the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro in 2016 and the Commonwealth Games in 2018. At the 2016 Rio Olympics, P V Sindhu and Sakshi Malik won silver and bronze in wrestling and badminton, respectively. The TOPS Athletes won two gold medals, one silver medal, and one bronze medal at the 2016 Paralympic Games, demonstrating the success of the Scheme. The Commonwealth Games' success proved the Scheme's effectiveness as 47 of the 70 competitors that competed and won medals at the Common Wealth Games (CWG) received TOP Scheme funding.

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History of TOPS 

TOPS, or The Target Olympic Podium Scheme, was launched in September 2014 under the aegis of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS), Government of India. The main objective of the Scheme is to provide financial assistance and other technical help to athletes in their pursuit of medals in the Olympics and other international sporting events. A committee (TOPS Elite Athletes' Identification Committee) was established to identify the elite athletes who could be placed on the Olympic podium to achieve the Scheme's goal.

The Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports is in charge of selecting TOPS members, focusing on ensuring that "High-Priority" sports are represented (Archery, Badminton, Boxing, Hockey, Shooting, and Wrestling). The total number of members of the Committee is to be decided by MYAS. The TOPS constitution does not specify a minimum or a maximum number of committees. 

The first Committee was constituted under the chairmanship of Shri. Anurag Thakur and it also comprised of eminent athletes such as Pulella Gopichand, Rahul Dravid, Abhinav Bindra, and Manisha Malhotra and sports administrators from Sports Authority of India (SAI) and the MYAS, Director General of SAI, and Joint Secretary (Sports).

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Objectives of Target Olympic Podium Scheme TOPS

• The Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) aimed to enhance India's performance at the Olympics and Paralympics.
• It aims to create a technical support team to oversee the TOPS athletes and offer assistance.
• The program is fully operational and has provided all necessary support to likely competitors for the Olympic and Paralympic Games 2020, including foreign training, international competition, equipment, and coaching camps.

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Mission Olympic Cell (MOC)

A special organization called the Mission Olympic Cell was established to help the athletes chosen through the TOP Scheme. The head of the MOC is the director general of the Sports Authority (DG, SAI). Representatives from the relevant National Sports Federations (NSFs) and Project Officers from the SAI are present at the Committee sessions, among other members. The MOC aims to debate, discuss, and decide on the procedures and approaches that best serve the athlete. The MOC also emphasizes selecting, excluding, and retaining athletes, coaches, and training facilities eligible for TOPS assistance. It approves customized programs for athletes chosen under the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS).

Functions of Mission Olympic Cell (MOC)

Some of the important functions of the Mission Olympic Cell (MOC) are given below.

• To support, monitor, and review athletes' progress through the training programs.
• Recommendation of financial disbursement for the customized programs.
• To ensure documentation or contractual obligations of beneficiaries.
• To deliver sponsor or commercial partner/media commitment under the NSDF TOP Scheme.
• Taking decisions on sudden and unanticipated requirements or needs of athletes.
• Communication frequently with the athletes on their progress, requirements, and perspectives.
• Implementation of partner agencies to carry out or to execute any or all of the above functions.

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Significance of Target Olympic Podium Scheme TOPS

The Scheme is significant because it supports athletes. For instance, TOPS stepped in when Mirabai Chanu needed to travel urgently to St. Louis, Missouri, before the 2020 Olympics. It was resolved in a day so she could go before the United States stopped flights from India. Another example is Neeraj Chopra, who was flown to Chula Vista to resume training and prepare for the 2022 World Athletics Championships. The funding of Bajrang Punia is the most recent instance of the program assisting Indian athletes.

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Scheme of Assistance under TOPS

The primary objective of the Scheme is to elevate athletes' training beyond the provisions of the Annual Calendar of Training and Competition (ACTC). Under the Scheme, selected athletes have the opportunity to request various types of assistance, including:

• Tailored coaching by renowned trainers in state-of-the-art facilities.
• Participation in international tournaments.
• Procurement of necessary equipment.
• Access to a support team comprising physiotherapists, sports psychologists, mental trainers, and physical trainers.
• Any other personalized support relevant to their sport.

Additionally, athletes receive a monthly out-of-pocket allowance of Rs. 50,000 as an incentive.

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Selection and Review Committee of TOPS

The Mission Olympic Cell (MOC) meets weekly to discuss and assess the athletes' proposals. The Committee is also in charge of routinely reviewing the development and accomplishments of the athletes. Athletes may be included, kept, or removed from the TOP Scheme based on the advice of the Committee.

Conclusion

Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) is an important and productive scheme in sports. In recent years, it has helped in assisting and supporting athletes. The functions and objectives of TOPS will be beneficial in future sports.

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