Separate funding scheme for Asian Games medal prospects not elite enough for Olympic podium.

The Indian sports ministry is planning a specific funding program for athletes who are expected to win medals at the Asian Games but may not have reached the level of an Olympic podium finish. This program is intended to offer targeted financial support to promising athletes who are struggling with resources despite their talent in continental events.

At present, India’s Olympic hopefuls are covered under the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS). However, many international-level Asian Games and Commonwealth Games medallists fail to get selected under the TOPS scheme, which filters out the crème de la crème. This new scheme aims to provide adequate support so that these athletes can train, compete, and perform to the best of their abilities.

Sports officials assert that while winning Olympic medals remains the ultimate goal, competitions like the Asian Games play a crucial role in an athlete’s development. Many athletes who achieve success at the Olympics often begin by excelling in the Asian and Commonwealth Games. Dedicated funding will allow these competitors to concentrate on training, secure better coaching, and participate in high-calibre international competitions to elevate their performance levels. This move is likely to benefit disciplines in which India has traditionally been strong at the Asian level, such as wrestling, boxing, athletics, shooting, and weightlifting. More athletes could transition from being continental champions to Olympic contenders with dedicated financial backing. If implemented, this scheme would help strengthen India’s sports ecosystem so that talented athletes do not drop out due to a lack of support. It would also create a larger talent pool, ultimately boosting India’s chances of securing more Olympic medals in the future.