India's TOPS List Revised: Shooters, Boxers, and Badminton Stars Get Boost
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New Delhi: The Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) has been revised, with some of last year's top performers from various sports being included. The government's flagship programme provides funding and support to India's elite athletes, helping them achieve their potential in major events.
Shooters and boxers were the biggest beneficiaries, following a year of sustained performances at the world level. The revised list includes 10m air pistol world champion Samrat Rana, new pistol sensation Suruchi Phogat, and rifle 3 position shooter Niraj Kumar, who finished fifth in the world championships.
Boxing world champion Jaismine Lamboria has been upgraded from the development to the core group, while distance runner Gulveer Singh, who set national records in the 5000m and 10,000m events, has also been moved to the core group.
Badminton's mixed doubles pair of Tanisha Crasto and Dhruv Kapila, world ranked 20, is also part of the core group. Tokyo Paralympic Games medallist Pramod Bhagat and para shuttler Naveen Sivakumar have been included in the list.
The list was revised after a meeting of the Mission Olympic Cell, headed by TOPS CEO N S Johal. The revised list includes 57 athletes in the development group, including 22 boxers, 13 shooters, and eight archers.
Some notable exclusions from the list include HS Prannoy, whose form has dipped recently, and Deepak Punia, who has not been making it to the national team.
