Latest news with #TOPS
Time of India
13 hours ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Hockey players finally get an out-of-pocket allowance after years of waiting
Indian Hockey team New Delhi: For reason unknown, the men and women national campers of Indian hockey weren't entitled to an out-of-pocket allowance (OPA) by the govt under the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) over the years. Since the inception of TOPS in Sep 2014, athletes from other disciplines benefitted from the sports ministry's benevolence of monthly stipend to the identified pool of sportspersons but not the hockey players. However, this anomaly was rectified in a recent meeting of the Mission Olympic Cell (MOC) here on Thursday. The 156th governing council meeting of the MOC has approved an OPA of Rs 25,000 per month for the national campers of both the men's and women's hockey teams after considering the request of the sport's national federation – Hockey India (HI). Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! A total of 80 players (40 men and 40 women) will benefit from the allowance which is given to athletes in the developmental group of TOPS. Athletes in the core group of TOPS receive a monthly stipend of Rs 50,000. The allowance to hockey players would cost the govt Rs 20 lakh per month, a ministry official said. Dominant India on Day 1! Jaiswal & Gill Hit Centuries | ENG vs IND 1st Test - Sahil from Leeds 'The allowance was requested by Hockey India for some time and we have decided to accept the demand. The players have performed reasonably well and it (this allowance) is being given on merit. The federation will have to submit a list of players to the Sports Authority of India (SAI) every month for disbursement of the funds,' sports minister Mansukh Mandaviya said here on Friday. The men's team was considered for OPA after winning two back-to-back bronze medals — in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics and the subsequent Paris Games last year. The team also secured a gold at the Hangzhou Asian Games in 2023. The women's team finished a creditable fourth in Tokyo. Both the teams are currently playing in the FIH Pro League's European leg. A ministry official informed that the proposals worth Rs 4.28 cr from athletes were approved by the MOC, including Rs 1.38 cr financial assistance to tennis players Saketh Myneni, Jeevan Nedu. Game On Season 1 kicks off with Sakshi Malik's inspiring story. Watch Episode 1 here
United News of India
a day ago
- Sport
- United News of India
Sports Ministry approves monthly allowance for Hockey players
New Delhi, Jun 20(UNI) Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports has approved a monthly out of pocket allowance of Rs 25,000 for those Hockey players who are picked for the national camp, an official said on Friday. Altogether 40 male and 40 female players will be eligible for the allowance. These 80 players would comprise attendees at the national camps under the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS). The decision to this effect was taken at the 156th Mission Olympic Cell's monthly meeting held in the national capital on Thursday. This decision will further help Hockey players who have during the recent years brought laurels to the nation, Indian Men's team secured back to back Bronze medals at the Tokyo Olympics 2020 and Paris Olympics 2024. They also won the gold medal at the Hangzhou Asian Games in 2023. The lucrative Hockey India League(HIL) that was relaunched in 2024 after seven years also is a major boost to Indian Hockey and will go a long way in developing talent in the country. UNI RKM SSP
Hans India
2 days ago
- Sport
- Hans India
SAI asks tennis players to prioritise national duty
India's tennis players who receive financial assistance through various support schemes should prioritise national duty and refusal to play for India without 'valid justification' will result in recovery of funds from them, according to a Sports Authority of India (SAI) order. Making players accountable for funds received, the SAI, in its order, has asked the players, selected for support under the Target Asian Games Group (TAGG), to provide a written undertaking where they acknowledge that receiving financial assistance carries the responsibility of contributing to the nation's sports excellence. The matter came up for discussion when athletes' names were discussed for inclusion in TAGG, according to a source. In its order, SAI asked players receiving support under TOPS, NSF and TAGG schemes to confirm their availability and willingness to represent India in 'esteemed international events such as the Billie Jean King Cup, Davis Cup, Asian Games, Olympics.' 'The above tennis competitions hold significant national pride. Therefore, it is important that all players benefiting from the support, provided under these schemes prioritize representing India if selected by the All India Tennis Association (AITA). 'We would also like to inform you that, in the event of selection by the NSF, should you decide not to participate without valid justification, the financial assistance provided to date will be subject to recovery in accordance with the applicable guidelines,' the SAI order read. Modelled on the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), TAGG was launched in April this year with an aim to boost India's medal tally at the 2026 Asian Games in Japan. There have been several instances in the past when players have refused to play the Davis Cup.
News18
2 days ago
- Politics
- News18
SAI Orders Tennis Players To Turn Up For National Duty On Priority, Funds To Be Recovered In Absence
Last Updated: SAI instructed players receiving support from schemes such as TOPS, NSF and TAGG to confirm their intent and availability to represent the tricolour at international events. The Sports Authority of India (SAI) issued an order to Indian tennis stars who have received financial assistance through various schemes to prioritise representing the nation and added that failure to turn up for national duty without valid justification would result in the recovery of funds from the players. SAI instructed players receiving support from schemes such as TOPS, NSF and TAGG to confirm their intent and availability to represent the tricolour at events such as the Davis Cup, Billie Jean King Cup, Asian Games and Olympics. SAI asked players who receive assistance from the Target Asian Games Group to pen an acknowledgement that the financial support carries with it the responsibility to contribute to the nation's sporting goals. 'The above tennis competitions hold significant national pride. Therefore, it is important that all players benefiting from the support, provided under these schemes prioritize representing India if selected by the All India Tennis Association," the order read. 'We would also like to inform you that, in the event of selection by the NSF, should you decide not to participate without valid justification, the financial assistance provided to date will be subject to recovery in accordance with the applicable guidelines," it continued. 'The government wanted the players to be accountable and there is nothing wrong in it. The government has added players names for support but it also wants them to be available for national duty when required," Rajpal said. 'An excellent move. Representing India, our great nation is the biggest honour and should be non negotiable specially if you receive government support," Uppal added. (With Inputs From PTI)
Deccan Herald
2 days ago
- Sport
- Deccan Herald
SAI asks tennis players to prioritise national duty; to recover funds for non-participation
SAI asked players receiving support under TOPS, NSF and TAGG schemes to confirm their availability and willingness to represent India in 'esteemed international events such as the Billie Jean King Cup, Davis Cup, Asian Games, Olympics'.
