In a bold and unprecedented move, the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) for Indian TOPS athletics has undergone a major overhaul, drastically reducing its Core Group from 32 athletes to just three.
This shakeup, implemented in the wake of the Paris Olympics and as India gears up for the LA2028 cycle, has left many wondering whether this is a necessary rebuilding phase or a stern call on underperformance.
The new Core Group in athletics now comprises only three marquee names: double Olympic medallist Neeraj Chopra in javelin, steeplechase sensation Avinash Sable who has impressed at the Commonwealth and Asian Games and long jump ace Murali Sreeshankar, an Asian Games silver medallist.
In a dramatic pivot, the once-prominent relay teams, notably the 4x400m units for both men and women, have been shifted to the Development Group.
This group now includes 13 individual athletes, featuring talents like Shaili Singh and Jyothi Yarraji, alongside the relay squads that are currently in the process of being rebuilt by the Athletics Federation of India.
The changes come as part of a broader TOPS revamp across all sports. The overall Core Group has been slashed to 42 athletes from a staggering 120 during the 2024 Olympics, while the Development Group now boasts 122 athletes.
The revised scheme offers a stipend of 50,000 for Core athletes and 25,000 for those in the Development Group, ensuring continued support for foreign training, international competitions, equipment, and high-performance camps.
These adjustments are not just financial; they represent a strategic shift aimed at honing in on exceptional performers who can deliver podium finishes on the world stage.
Critics have pointed to some prominent omissions from the Core Group in athletics, notably Tajinderpal Singh Toor an Asian Games shot put gold medallist, Annu Rani, the national record holder in javelin, and Muhammed Anas Yahiya, a two-time Asian Games gold medallist in sprinting. Their absence raises important questions about the criteria being applied in this overhaul.
Some view these tough decisions as a sign that the scheme is prioritizing future potential and recent form over past accolades, while others see it as an indication of a deep-rooted need for a performance-based restructuring.
The impetus for this major reshuffle can be traced back to the post-Paris Olympics review. With the TOPS Chief Executive Officer appointed only in December and the reconstitution of the Mission Olympic Cell (MOC) taking shape through its inaugural meeting in early January, decisive steps were clearly in order.
The first serious MOC meeting on February 11, chaired by Sports Secretary Sujata Chaturvedi, underscored the urgency of making hard choices. With just six months into the LA2028 cycle, the revised scheme aims to remove complacency and channel resources to athletes most capable of delivering at the next Olympic Games.
While the focus of the overhaul has been on athletics, similar recalibrations are evident across other sports. In boxing, for instance, only two boxers Tokyo Olympic medallist Lovlina Borgohain and multiple World Championships medallist Nikhat Zareen have been retained in the Core Group. Rowing, badminton, squash, and even para-athletics have seen significant adjustments in their athlete compositions.
However, it is the seismic shift in athletics, particularly the move of relay teams and the exclusion of some high-profile athletes, that has generated the most discussion and debate.
Ultimately, this TOPS shakeup reflects a paradigm shift in Indian sports administration. By streamlining support and focusing on immediate performance metrics, the sports ministry appears intent on creating a lean, mean, medal-winning machine for the upcoming Olympic cycles.
Whether viewed as a rebuilding phase or a harsh crackdown on underperformance, the decision to pare down the athletics Core Group to just three athletes is bound to leave a lasting impact on the nations sporting landscape.
Only time will tell if these changes will translate into improved results on the international stage, but for now, India’s focus is squarely on nurturing the very best for future glory.
