The Olympics 2020 organized in Tokyo in 2021 has presented us many great reasons to celebrate and memorize these moments. Speaking on the social aspect of it, we are all aware that our Athletes put in their very best with whatever resources and training that they can afford. However, on taking note of other leading countries, it is evident that the State has to engage with the sporting environment of the Country. As India did put up her best performance with 7 total medals, we must understand that how well could the State support Sports and what can we expect from these efforts.
India’s preparation for Olympics has been much about the individual athlete because that is how it has been for the most part. Prior to 2014, the facilities and funds for any budding athlete were funded private CSR based trusts like Tata Trusts, Amul and Edelweiss. Only from 2014 onwards, the Central Government started looking into it objectively. In order to improve India’s performance at Olympics and Paralympics, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS) started the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) in September 2014. This was revamped in April 2018 to establish a technical support team for managing the TOPS athletes and providing holistic support.
About the TOPS
To excel and be eligible for TOPS program, the athlete is selected based on their performance for the past three years. These Athletes are judged based on their performance as per the events organized under Khelo India Programme. As they excel for TOPS, the Government shall allot personal coaches and other staff, and also takes care of their fees, their cost of travel during competitions, purchase of equipment and pocket allowance. This program also issues a stipend of INR 50,000 / month to these selected athletes.
The Government has set a goal to establish India among the top ten medal winners in Los Angeles Olympics 2028. From the year of commencement, every probable athlete who prepares for the Olympics is funded and facilitated as per the TOPS program. The Scheme currently supports 104 TOPS Core Group athletes across 13 sports disciplines & Hockey (M & W) teams and 269 TOPS Development Group athletes across 12 sports disciplines. These disciplines cater to Paralympics as well.
Now, the case study! Does it work?
The answer is yes! This program has helped establish results in the form of India’s achievement in Rio 2016 Olympics (2 medals) and Tokyo 2020 Olympics (with a Gold!).
As we ponder into the question, we must understand how much did Government of India have to spend for the training of Neeraj Chopra?
Neeraj Chopra was selected for TOPS scholarship program in 2018. From the moment on, an exclusive foreign Coach Dr. Klaus Bartroneitz was appointed for his training. In the current Olympic cycle from 2016 to 2021, Government funded his training in South Africa, Poland, Turkey, Finland, Czech Republic and Sweden and attended 26 international competitions. If we include the costs of these efforts, it totals up to INR 7 Crores.
Similarly, as Lockdowns were imposed, and all athletes were sent back home, back in October 2020 SAI issued INR 5.78 crores additional expense for 2783 athletes who were affected due to the lockdown and the pandemic. According to SAI release, the amount also includes expenses for travel, dietary changes while stationed at home and other miscellaneous expenses incurred by the athletes.
The model tried by India has certainly created more awareness among every individual to aim and dream for more. As a reader and if you are a person who gave up on a sporting career, I shall consider it a success if you do already feel the sweet guilt after reading these. You and me both should acknowledge the fact that the youth of today can hope to dream for a career in sports and athletics. Although, a lot needs to be done and we see many wrongs than the rights every day, it is us who has to set the ground moving. at the end of the day, we need to break that notion and accept the fact that "Kheloge koodoge banoge laajawaab".
Happy Hunting!
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