Lok Sabha Question No. 588 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-02-04
Subject: Junior Target Olympic Podium Scheme
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: Hibi Eden

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS (DEPARTMENT OF SPORTS) LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.588 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.02.2021

Junior Target Olympic Podium Scheme

## 588. SHRI HIBI EDEN:

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

- (a)  the  current  status  of  the  scheme  Junior  Target  Olympic  Podium
- Scheme (J-TOPS) 2020-2021;
- (b)  whether  the  said  scheme  has  been  successful  if  so,  the  details thereof;
- (c)  whether  measures  have  been  taken  to  provide  livelihood  to athletes  and  sportsperson  during  the  period  of  corona,  during  which all sports events in the country are put on hold; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

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

(a) & (b): The  existing  Target  Olympic  Podium  Scheme  (TOPS) covers  the  junior  and  sub-junior  athletes  also.  The  young  upcoming athletes categorised as Development Group under the TOPS are being groomed for Paris 2024 and Los Angles 2028 Olympics Games. Under the  Target  Olympic  Podium  Scheme  (TOPS),  athletes  deemed  strong probables for the future Olympic Games Paris 2024 and LA 2028 are being identified for support under TOPS Development Group.

The  talent identification of 269  best  sporting talents  has  been completed for under mentioned 12 disciplines under TOPS Development  Group  for  2024  Paris  Games  and  2028  Los  Angeles Games:

|   1. | Archery      | 7. Rowing         |
|------|--------------|-------------------|
|    2 | Athletics 8. | Shooting          |
|    3 | Badminton 9. | Swimming          |
|    4 | Boxing       | 10. Table Tennis  |
|    5 | Cycling      | 11. Weightlifting |
|    6 | Judo         | 12. Wrestling     |

TOPS  Development  Group  athlete  receive  OPA  of  Rs.  25,000/-  and customized training support at National Centre of Excellences (NCOEs)  for  preparation  of  2024  Paris  Games  and  2028  Los  Angeles Games.  Scheme  has  been  successful  in  providing  assistance  to athletes  who  have  been  found  as  probable  medal  winners.  The  TOP Scheme  was  initiated  in  the  year  2014.  In  Commonwealth  Games 2018,  out  of  66  medals  won,  48  medals  were  secured  by  TOPS athletes.  Similarly,  in  Asian  Games  2018,  44  medals  out  of  69,  were secured by TOPS athletes. Further, in Asian Para Games 2018, 18 out of 72 medals were secured by the TOPS athletes.

(c) & (d): Yes,  Sir.  177  athletes  covered  under  TOPS  were  provided Out of Pocket Allowance (OPA) of Rs.50,000/-& Rs.25,000/respectively for core group and development group. Under Khelo India Scheme the identified budding athletes continued to get Rs. 10,000/per  month  as  Out  of  Pocket  Allowance  (OPA)  during  the  period  of Corona. Under Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay National Welfare Fund for sportspersons, financial help of Rs.1,01,30,000/- to 25 athletes/ former athletes/ coaches were provided, from March 2020 onwards, who were found to be living in poor condition.

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