Ministry to restructure TOPS following host of resignations
The Sports Ministry has decided to completely restructure the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) after the departure of Chairman Anurag Thakur and looks to rope in senior sportsmen to head the organization. The decision comes after earlier reports suggested that TOPS will be handed over to the Sports Authority of India (SAI).
Following media reports last week, the Sports Ministry on Friday confirmed the departure of Anurag Thakur. "In view of his pre-occupation with BCCI, Shri Anurag Thakur has informed that it will not be possible for him to devote time to TOPS," said a ministry statement, as reported by IANS.
The reason mentioned above, however, contradicts what Indian Express had reported last week. According to them, Anurag Thakur was asked to leave the organization by the Ministry after the body failed to deliver on its objectives.
“It won’t be overstating that we are in a state of crisis when it comes to the TOPS. The ministry has not been able to live up to the expectations, and the delays just months before the Olympics defeated the purpose of the scheme,” an unnamed senior ministry official was quoted as saying by the Indian Express.
“The charge is now with director general of SAI but they are already over-burdened with a lot of other things. The minister will review the scheme and there will be an attempt to find solutions so that the delays can be erased,” the official had added.
The Ministry has also confirmed that TOPS will be restructured, although no statement was released regarding the involvement of SAI. "This has been done on the basis of inputs received from federations, sports persons and coaches. The scheme will cover 12 disciplines- archery, athletics, badminton, boxing, shooting, wrestling, sailing, gymnastics, swimming, lawn tennis, para athletics and para swimming."
"Rs.6.22 crore has been sanctioned under the scheme and further approximately similar amount has been allocated," said the statement.” the statement read.
The statement also confirmed that “senior sports persons of repute” will be recruited to head TOPS.
Olympic gold medallist Abhinav Bindra had stepped down from his role in the committee last month. “Due to paucity of time (the Olympic Games are 10 months away) I will not be able to make a meaningful contribution as a member to the TOPS. I don’t feel it right to continue as a member. Hence I have resigned from the committee a few minutes ago,” Bindra posted on Twitter on October 29.
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