Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju on Friday stated that his authorities will quickly launch Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) for junior athletes within the nation with an intention to produce Olympic champions by 2028.
Rijiju introduced the choice through the “Fit Hai To Hit Hai Fit India” webinar which was additionally attended by HRD minister Dr Ramesh Pokhriyal, Olympic medallist shuttler PV Sindhu and India soccer captain Sunil Chhetri.
“This is a dream of every Indian and I am just trying to translate it into a mission. Olympics is the biggest event on the planet and when India does not figure anywhere in the medals tally it really hurts,” the Sports Minister stated.
“We have worked hard to achieve our goals, we have made big base. The TOPS is currently there for senior athletes who are medal prospects in Olympics but we will soon launch the TOPS scheme for the juniors as well.”
He stated the federal government will establish 10 to 12-year-old skills and undertake them.
“We will take care of their every need and prepare them as medal prospects by 2028 Olympics,” he stated.
“If we can identify the potential, the government will take full care of them in grooming, so that they are ready for 2024 Paris and 2028 Los Angeles. If the government takes them under its tutelage, then their parents will not have any worries.”
He stated the suggestions of the Olympic Task Force constituted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi have come and the federal government is within the means of implementation.
“I am very confident that India will be in top 10 in 2028 Los Angeles,” stated the Sports Minister.
Rijiju made the assertion whereas reiterating that India can end within the top-10 of the medal tally in 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
“When I became Sports Minister I set a target of finishing in top 10 in the medals tally in 2028 Olympics and it is achievable. I am saying this with full conviction,” he stated.
During the webinar, Rijiju additionally emphasised on the necessity to develop into a fitter nation and stated the Fit India motion has been contributing loads in the direction of that purpose.
“Fit India is becoming people’s movement in the truest sense. Majority of our 1.3 billion population consist of school children. Our Prime Minister’s vision is to create a fit nation and the movement is growing very well,” he stated.
“The ultimate aim of this movement is to make India.”
Rijiju additionally talked in regards to the constructive impact of the Fit India motion in lower than a yr of its launch.
“On August 29 this year, we will complete one year of Fit India’s launch. We have achieved a lot in this one year. It has been a complete people’s movement,” he stated.
“If you are not physically fit, everything else becomes futile. Therefore, it is very necessary to do yoga or normal exercise and play sports. Those who can’t play sports can stay fit. India has a rich tradition of sports but unfortunately we couldn’t create a culture.”
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