Lok Sabha Question No. 4167 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-19
Subject: Junior Target Olympic Podium Scheme
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: DNV Senthilkumar. S., Shriniwas Dadasaheb Patil, Subhash Ramrao Bhamre, Kuldeep Rai Sharma, Supriya Sadanand Sule, Amol Ramsing Kolhe, Manickam Tagore B

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS (DEPARTMENT OF SPORTS)

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4167

TO BE ANSWERED ON 19.03.2020

Junior Target Olympic Podium Scheme

## 4167.  DR. DNV SENTHILKUMAR S.:

SHRI SHRINIWAS PATIL:

DR. SUBHASH RAMRAO BHAMRE:

SHRI KULDEEP RAI SHARMA:

SHRIMATI SUPRIYA SULE:

DR. AMOL RAMSING KOLHE:

SHRI MANICKAM TAGORE B.:

Will the Minister of YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  launch  junior  Target  Olympic Podium  (TOP)  Scheme  to  provide  financial  support  to  junior  level  in  the country and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the criteria adopted for selection of junior athletes to qualify for financial support under the scheme;
- (c)  the  number  of  the  junior  athletes  who  will  be  benefited  under  the  said scheme;
- (d)  the  other  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  ensure  that  India  must become a global sporting powerhouse; and
- (e) the time by which the said scheme is likely to be implemented?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS [SHRI KIREN RIJIJU]

- (a) The existing Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) covers the junior and sub-junior athletes also. These young upcoming athletes categorised as Development Group under the TOPS are being selected for Paris 2024 and Los Angles 2028 Olympics Games.
- (b)  Selection  of  athletes  under  Developmental  Group  is  being  done  after extensive research and analysis based on the following parameters:
-  Most recent Olympic, World Championship and other key international competitions are  analysed to arrive  at  performance  benchmarks specific to each sport.
-  Performance analysis of Indian athletes is considered in most recent 23 years with due weightage given to latest performances.
-  High  performance  age  is  derived  by  assessing  the  age  of  a  typical Olympic medallist in each event.
-  Feedback from National Sports Federations (NSF's), National Coaches, National  Observers,  High  Performance  Managers  and  other  subject matter experts is taken as applicable.

The above analysis is presented before the Mission Olympic Cell (MOC), an expert committee, entrusted with the task of inclusion of athletes  including those  of  the  Developmental  Group  in  TOPS.  MOC  is  chaired  by  Director General,Sports  Authority  of  India  and  includes  President-Indian  Olympic Association,  President/General  Secretary  of  concerned  NSFs  and  various other subject matter experts as its members.

- (c) Currently 84 athletes across 7 sports have been identified in the Development Group of TOPS.
- (d) The  other  major  Schemes  of  the  Government  being  implemented  to achieve sporting excellence in international sporting events are:-
- i) Assistance to National Sports Federations for supporting sportspersons through NSFs for their training, foreign exposures and competitions.
- ii) Khelo  India  Scheme  aiming  at  strengthening  entire  sports  ecosystem  to  promote  the  twin  objective  of  mass  participation  and promotion of excellence in sports across the country.
- (e) Developmental  Group  covering  Junior  and  Sub  Junior  athletes  under TOPS is already being implemented.

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