The Sports Authority of India has shortlisted 258 athletes across 12 sporting disciplines for inclusion in the Target Olympic Podium Scheme Developmental Group, widely known as Junior TOPS. The initiative is a significant step in India's long-term Olympic preparation strategy, with the goal of grooming the country's most promising young athletes for medal contention at the 2024 Paris Olympics and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
What Is the Junior TOPS Programme?
The Junior TOPS programme is the developmental arm of the Target Olympic Podium Scheme, India's flagship sports support initiative. While the senior TOPS programme supports elite athletes who are already competing at the highest international level, the Junior TOPS programme is specifically designed to identify and develop the next generation of Indian Olympic contenders. The programme provides structured financial support, performance benchmarking, and access to world-class training infrastructure through SAI's National Centres of Excellence.
Athletes selected for Junior TOPS receive a monthly pocket allowance of Rs 25,000 each to support their training and living expenses. More importantly, each athlete has a personalised performance benchmark established for the next four years - a measurable, time-bound target developed in consultation with the athlete, their coach, and the High-Performance Director or Chief National Coach of their respective National Sports Federation. This benchmark-driven approach ensures accountability and gives each athlete a clear roadmap toward Olympic qualification.
How the 258 Athletes Were Selected
The 258 athletes were shortlisted by SAI's Mission Olympic Cell, the body responsible for identifying and monitoring India's top sporting talent. Of the total selections, 85 athletes had already been identified before the COVID-19 lockdown began, with the remaining selections completed as part of the programme's expansion across all 12 supported disciplines. The selection process involved close coordination between SAI, the respective National Sports Federations, coaches, and High-Performance Directors to ensure that only athletes with genuine Olympic podium potential were included.
Discipline-Wise Breakdown of Junior TOPS Selections
The 258 athletes selected for the Junior TOPS programme are drawn from 12 sporting disciplines. Shooting leads the list with 70 athletes selected. Boxing follows with 36 athletes, and Archery with 34. Badminton has 27 athletes included in the programme. Athletics has 16 athletes selected, as does Weightlifting. Wrestling accounts for 18 selections, Swimming for 14, Judo for 11, Table Tennis for 7, Rowing for 5, and Cycling for 4.
The strong representation of disciplines such as Shooting, Boxing, Archery, and Badminton reflects the areas where India has shown the most consistent potential for Olympic medals at the junior and under-23 level. The inclusion of disciplines like Rowing, Cycling, and Table Tennis signals SAI's intent to broaden India's Olympic medal prospects beyond its traditional strengths.
Kiren Rijiju Announces the Junior TOPS Expansion
The Junior TOPS expansion was announced by the then Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju, who emphasised the long-term nature of Olympic athlete development. He noted that developing an athlete to Olympic medal-winning standard typically requires approximately eight years of sustained, structured support - highlighting the importance of early talent identification and continuous investment.
The announcement reflected a broader shift in India's sports development strategy - from supporting already established athletes to identifying and nurturing young talent at an early stage with proper financial backing and structured planning.
Resumption of Training at National Centres of Excellence
Alongside the Junior TOPS announcement, the Sports Minister confirmed that training at SAI's National Centres of Excellence would resume in a phased manner from October 1, 2020, following the COVID-19 lockdown. Final decisions were to be made by respective State Governments based on local health guidelines.
SAI also enhanced funding for National Centres of Excellence to ensure access to world-class infrastructure, equipment, and training support. This move aims to bring domestic training standards on par with global facilities.
Safety, Welfare and Education Initiatives at NCOEs
Recognising that many Junior TOPS athletes are young and training away from home, SAI introduced several welfare measures. Sanitisation workshops were planned to ensure health and hygiene in training environments.
Educational workshops on sexual harassment awareness were also introduced under the Protection of Children Against Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. These initiatives aim to create a safe, supportive, and transparent environment for young athletes to train and grow confidently.
What the Junior TOPS Programme Means for Indian Sport
The selection of 258 athletes represents one of India's most comprehensive investments in junior sports development. By combining financial support, structured performance targets, training infrastructure, and athlete welfare, the programme aims to build a strong pipeline of Olympic-ready athletes.
For badminton, the inclusion of 27 players provides strong support at a crucial stage of development. Many of India's top players have benefited from similar early support, and this new batch of athletes represents the future of India's Olympic ambitions.
Frequently Asked Questions - SAI Junior TOPS Programme
What is the Junior TOPS programme in India?
The Junior TOPS programme is a Sports Authority of India initiative that supports young athletes with financial aid, training facilities, and structured performance benchmarks to prepare them for Olympic competition.
How many athletes were shortlisted for Junior TOPS?
A total of 258 athletes across 12 sports disciplines were shortlisted for the Junior TOPS programme.
Which discipline has the most athletes in Junior TOPS?
Shooting has the highest representation with 70 athletes, followed by Boxing (36), Archery (34), and Badminton (27).
How much allowance do Junior TOPS athletes receive?
Each athlete receives a monthly allowance of Rs 25,000 to support training and living expenses.
What are performance benchmarks in Junior TOPS?
Performance benchmarks are personalised four-year targets set for each athlete to track progress toward Olympic qualification.
How many badminton players were selected?
27 badminton players were selected under the Junior TOPS programme.
The Junior TOPS programme marks a major step forward in India's Olympic journey. By investing in young talent today, India is building a strong foundation for future Olympic success and positioning itself as a serious contender on the global sporting stage.