Latest news with #TAGG
The Hindu
23-06-2025
- Sport
- The Hindu
Tejaswin Shankar, Animesh Kujur enter TOPS developmental group; Pranati Nayak named for TAGG
Asian Championships silver-winning decathlete Tejaswin Shankar, fast-rising sprinter Animesh Kujur and the women's 4x100m relay team were included in the Target Olympic Podium Scheme's (TOPS) developmental group, while gymnast Pranati Nayak was added to the Target Asian Games Group (TAGG) in the latest round of evaluation by the Sports Ministry. The 26-year-old Tejaswin, who is mostly based in the USA, became the first Indian to win two decathlon medals in the Asian Championships by upgrading his bronze from the previous edition to a silver this time in Gumi, South Korea last month. The 22-year-old Kujur, on the other hand, claimed a bronze medal in the men's 200m event with a national record time of 20.32 seconds. This was his first medal at an international event. The athletes included in the TOPS developmental group are entitled to a monthly allowance of Rs 25,000 and are considered long-term medal prospects. Also making the developmental list was the quartet of 4x100m quartet of Abinaya Rajarajan, Sneha Shanuvalli, Nithya Gandhe and Srabani Nanda. They won a silver medal in the event at the Asian meet. High jumper Pooja (gold, 1.89m PB), Servin Sebastian (race walking), Vithya Ramaraj (hurdles), Sachin Yadav (javelin throw), Yoonus Shah (middle-distance) were the other good performers from the Asian event to make the group after a recent meeting of the ministry's Mission Olympic Cell (MOC). ALSO READ | Neeraj Chopra has eyes set on Tokyo World Championship after breaching 90-metre mark Javelin superstar Neeraj Chopra, steeplechaser Avinash Sable and long jumper M Sreeshankar are the only track and field names in the core group that was slashed to 94 from 179 at the beginning of the year following the end of an Olympic cycle. The pruned core list features only 42 able-bodied athletes. Gymnasts Pranati Nayak and Protishtha Samanta (vault) have been added to the Target Asian Games Group (TAGG). Nayak won a bronze medal in the Asian Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Jecheon, South Korea earlier this month. This was her third bronze at the continental event after third-place finishes in Ulaanbaatar (2019) and Doha (2022). TOPS CEO NS Johal, Olympic medallist Gagan Narang, Pullela Gopichand (Vice-president, Badminton Association of India), Viren Rasquinha (Olympic Gold Quest), Aparna Popat, Dronacharya awardee para coach Dr. Satyapal Singh, and Arjuna awardee Prashanti Singh are among the members of the MOC. Rs 11.90 lakh have been approved for archers Parneet Kaur, Priyansh and Jyothi Surekha Vennam for purchase of equipment as part of their preparations for the Los Angeles Olympics 2028. All three of them are part of the TOPS core group.
Hans India
20-06-2025
- 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.
Deccan Herald
19-06-2025
- 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'.
Time of India
19-06-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Tennis news: Sports Authority of India cracks the whip, orders tennis players to prioritise nation or lose funding
Sumit Nagal and Mukund Sasikumar are among the list of Indian's who have made themselves unavailable for certain ties (Image via X/@poznanopen) Sumit Nagal of India at the 2025 Australian Open at Melbourne Park (Image via) Sumit Nagal and Mukund Sasikumar are among the list of Indian's who have made themselves unavailable for certain ties (Image via X/@poznanopen) Sumit Nagal of India at the 2025 Australian Open at Melbourne Park (Image via) Sumit Nagal and Mukund Sasikumar are among the list of Indian's who have made themselves unavailable for certain ties (Image via X/@poznanopen) 1 2 The Sports Authority of India (SAI) has issued a directive emphasizing that tennis players receiving financial assistance through various government support schemes must prioritise representing the nation. According to the order, players who refuse to play for India without valid justification will face recovery of the funds granted to them. The order specifically targets athletes selected under the Target Asian Games Group (TAGG), which was launched earlier this year to boost India's medal prospects at the 2026 Asian Games in Japan. Players benefiting from TAGG, as well as the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) and the National Sports Federation (NSF) support, are required to submit a written undertaking confirming their commitment to represent India in prestigious international events such as the Billie Jean King Cup, Davis Cup, Asian Games, and Olympics. 'The above tennis competitions hold significant national pride. Therefore, it is important that all players benefiting from the support, provided under these schemes prioritise representing India if selected by the All India Tennis Association (AITA),' the SAI order stated. It further warns that any player who declines selection without valid reasons will have to repay the financial assistance received so far. This move comes amid several instances in recent years where top Indian players have opted out of Davis Cup ties. Notably, Sumit Nagal skipped matches against Pakistan, Sweden, and Togo, while Sasikumar Mukund and Yuki Bhambri also made themselves unavailable for certain ties. The SAI's order appears aimed at holding players accountable and ensuring stronger national team participation. Poll Do you agree with the SAI's directive that players receiving government support should prioritize representing India? Strongly Agree Disagree Among those included in TAGG are prominent names like Sumit Nagal, Yuki Bhambri, Ramkumar Ramanathan, N Sriram Balaji, Saketh Myneni, and Rithvik Bollipalli on the men's side. The women's list features top-ranked players such as Shrivali Bhamidipati, Sahaja Yamlapalli, Vaidehi Chaudhary, Rutuja Bhosale, and young talent Maaya Rajeshwaran. IND vs ENG: Rishabh Pant opens up on chemistry with Shubman Gill and England challenge India's Davis Cup captain Rohit Rajpal welcomed the directive, telling PTI, '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.' Billie Jean King Cup skipper Vishal Uppal echoed this sentiment, calling it 'an excellent move.' He added, 'Representing India, our great nation is the biggest honour and should be non negotiable specially if you receive government support. ' The SAI's order reflects a broader effort to ensure that financial aid translates into national pride and commitment, reinforcing the importance of representing India on the international stage. This approach aims to strengthen India's tennis teams and encourage players to honour their responsibilities as beneficiaries of government support. Game On Season 1 kicks off with Sakshi Malik's inspiring story. Watch Episode 1 here
Indian Express
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Mansukh Mandaviya writes: The last 11 years have seen a transformation in sporting infrastructure
As we embark on our journey to become Viksit Bharat by 2047, one of the most powerful forces shaping this vision is the rise of Indian sports. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Indian sports is scaling new heights on the global stage. Recently, Indian athletes once again made the nation beam with pride through extraordinary performances on the global stage. At the Asian Athletics Championships 2025, the Indian contingent delivered a commanding performance, clinching 24 medals and smashing multiple national records along the way. Our women wrestlers scripted a golden chapter in history, returning from the Ulaanbaatar Open in Mongolia with a record-breaking 21 medals, their best-ever haul at a Ranking Series event. This success didn't come overnight. India won only 26 Olympic medals in the first 23 editions (including before Independence). But in the last three editions alone — 2016, 2020 and 2024 — India bagged 15 medals. In the Paralympics, from just eight medals between 1968 and 2012, India has now won 52 medals in the last three editions, including a record 29 medals in Paris 2024. These achievements are the result of a performance-driven ecosystem built over the last 11 years. PM Modi has brought a clear and focused vision that every athlete, regardless of background, deserves access to world-class training, infrastructure, financial support, athlete-centric governance, and a transparent system to thrive. At the heart of these reforms is the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), launched in 2014 to identify and support top athletes. What began with 75 athletes has now grown to support 213 sportspersons for the Los Angeles 2028 cycle, including 52 para-athletes and 112 athletes under the development category. New schemes have also been introduced to support athletes in disciplines that have traditionally received less attention. The Target Asian Games Group (TAGG), introduced this year, supports 40 medal prospects in 10 disciplines such as fencing, cycling, equestrian, sailing, kayaking and canoeing, judo, taekwondo, tennis, table tennis, and wushu. Driving this performance is a significant financial commitment. The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports budget has more than tripled in the last decade, from Rs 1,219 crore in 2013-14 to Rs 3,794 crore in 2025-26. The Khelo India Scheme, launched in 2017 to develop grassroots infrastructure and promote year-round competition, has seen its budget increase to Rs 1,000 crore this year. National sports federations have also received unprecedented support. Financial assistance for hosting international tournaments and national championships has nearly doubled. Coaches' support has been revised upward by 50 per cent. Athlete dietary allowances have been increased to meet the demands of high-performance training. One of the most impactful reforms has been the emphasis on transparency. All federations must video record selection trials and publish selection criteria for major events two years in advance. This ensures fairness, builds trust among athletes, and keeps the system merit-based. Sports certificates are now issued through DigiLocker and linked to the National Sports Repository System, ensuring tamper-proof documentation. The Draft National Sports Policy 2024, along with the Draft National Sports Governance Bill, aim to strengthen the sports ecosystem and bring athlete welfare to the centre of policy making. Age fraud is being tackled through new medical checks and stricter penalties. Federations are also required to appoint Integrity Officers to ensure compliance. In addition to Olympic sports, traditional Indian sports like mallakhamb, kalaripayattu, yogasana, gatka and thang-ta are being revived and promoted through the Khelo India Games. Indigenous sports like Kabaddi and Kho-Kho are now receiving international recognition. The push for gender equity has also been significant. The ASMITA League (Achieving Sports Milestones by Inspiring Women Through Action), launched to promote women's participation in sports, has expanded rapidly: From just 840 women athletes in 2021-22, over 60,000 women across 26 sports participated in 2024–25. The ASMITA League connects these athletes to the Khelo India pathway. India's sports infrastructure has also expanded at an unprecedented scale in the last 11 years. From just 38 infrastructure projects before 2014, the number has now risen to 350. The Sports Authority of India currently runs 23 national centres of excellence, training elite athletes under TOPS and Khelo India. Additionally, 34 state centres of excellence have been established. The Khelo India Games have evolved into a national movement. Nineteen editions have been held so far —including Youth, University, Para, Winter, and Beach Games — with more than 56,000 athletes participating. The Khelo India Para Games, in particular, have been game-changing, with many athletes from these competitions going on to win medals at the Paralympics. Looking ahead, India is preparing for a potential bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games and the 2036 Olympic Games. To support this vision, new verticals under Khelo India such as the School Games, Tribal Games, Northeast Games, Water Games, Martial Arts Games, and Swadeshi Games are being launched. The upcoming Khelo India School Games will play a pivotal role in bringing fresh talent into the sporting ecosystem. PM Modi's vision is for India to be among the top 10 sporting nations when we host the Olympics in 2036 and among the top five by the time we mark 100 years of Independence in 2047. Much has been done to fulfil this vision, but a lot remains to be achieved. India's sporting revolution today is a story of vision, resolve, and inclusive growth. With our youth at the heart of this transformation, and under the dynamic leadership of PM Modi, India is rising as a global sporting powerhouse. From medals to mindsets, the change is visible and the journey to Viksit Bharat is being powered by the spirit of sport. The writer is Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports and Labour and Employment
