Ministry of Youth Affairs &Sports has established the National Sports Development Fund (the “NSDF”), inter-alia, with the objective of promotion of sports in general and specific sports disciplines and individual sports persons in particular for achieving excellence at the National and International level and to construct and maintain infrastructure as may be required for promotion of excellence in sports. The objectives of the fund also include taking up research projects and development studies and promotion of international cooperation in sports. Ministry has initiated the ‘Target Olympic Podium Scheme’ (“TOP Scheme”) under the NSDF. The scheme envisages identification of athletes who are potential medal winners in Olympics and providing support to them for preparation for Olympics.
During the current financial year (2015-16) NSDF from 1.4.2015 to 17.06.2015) has released assistance of Rs. 6.1 crore for the training of 31 athletes and to 8 organizations for conduct of tournaments, participation in tournaments abroad, infrastructure development and prize money, etc. Out of the said 31 athletes ,24 have been given assistance under the Target Olympic Podium scheme.
Athletes benefitted are during the period are Manavjit Singh Sandhu, Heena Sidhu, Abhinav Bindra, Ankur Mittal, Anisa Sayyed, Kynan Chenai and Mohd. Asab (All Shooters), Mandeep Jangra ( Boxer ) Dipika Pallikal, Harinder Pal Singh and Kush Kumar (All Squash), Tarundeep Rai, Atanu Das, Jayanta Talukdar, Mangal Champia, Deepika Kumari, Bombayla Devi, Rimil Buriuly, Laxmi Rani Majhi, Sanjay Boro, Atul Verma, Ranjit Naik, Dola Banerjee, Madhu Vedwan, Viswash, Snehal and Binod Swansi (All Archers-Mental Training Programme), Aishwarya and Varsha Gautham (Sailors) and Vikas Gowda (Athletics), Nischay Luthra (Ice skating) .