TOPS Core group slashed from 120 to 42, focus on development group

Finally, the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) list in both the Core and Development groups has undergone a much-needed overhaul.

- Draneel Das @Chennai

Some disciplines have seen a considerable number of omissions while sports like shooting and badminton have not seen much change. The Core group has been slashed to 42 from 120 during the Olympics in 2024. Some sports like equestrian, fencing, golf, sailing and tennis have been dropped altogether, at least for the time being.

The TOPS, sports ministry's flagship programme for elite and up-and-coming athletes in select Olympic disciplines, needed an overhaul after the Paris Olympics. However, TOPS Chief Executive Officer was appointed only in December and the Mission Olympic Cell (MOC) was also reconstituted and held its first meeting in early January. This meeting served more like an induction/orientation programme. A decisive step needed to be taken as early as possible because we are already into the sixth month into the LA2028 Olympic cycle.