Wrestlers Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat are set to leave for Kyrgyzstan and Hungary respectively for training with the sports ministry approving their tours under Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS).

While Punia will head to Issyk-Kul, Kyrgyzstan for 36 days, Vinesh will first travel to Bishkek for a week and then to Tata, Hungary for 18 days of training.

Target Olympic Podium Scheme

• Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) was formulated in September 2014 with the aim to identify, groom and prepare potential medal prospects for Olympics. 

• It is a flagship programme of the ministry of youth affairs and sports which 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 medals in the Olympics.

• Financial support is provided to selected athletes for training, participation in competitions, purchase of equipment, availing of the services of support persons, etc. 

• The Mission Olympic Cell (MOC) is a dedicated body created to assist the athletes who are selected under the TOPS. The MOC is under the chairmanship of the director general, Sports Authority of India (DG, SAI).

• The MOC conducts meetings to evaluate the proposals of the athletes. It sanctions budgets based on the athlete’s requirement and the Committee’s recommendation. It 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 scheme.

The sportspersons are selected mainly in two categories:

1) The Core Group

2) The Development Group.

• ‘Out of Pocket Allowance’ of Rs 50,000 per month is given to the selected Athletes in Core Group and Rs 25,000 per month to athletes in Development Group for meeting contingent and miscellaneous expenses.

• The sportspersons who fail to achieve the targets despite providing additional support and adequate time are dropped from the scheme.

• The scheme has been extending all requisite support to probable athletes identified for the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games including foreign training, international competition, equipment and coaching camp besides the monthly stipend.

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