Compared to 2018, what was done differently in 2022 that brought about these results?
In 2018 we had 70 medals, this time we have 107. An increase of 52 per cent medals between two editions and 75 per cent increase in gold. In 2020 as well, we had the best-ever Olympics, Paralympics and Deaflympics. Of course, it is owing to the hard work of our athletes and others in the sports ecosystem such as coaches and support staff that this has been possible. But our athletes always worked hard, so what seems to have changed now? It is the vision of our Honourable Prime Minister, Shri. Narendra Modi ji which he put in place in 2014, and his personal interest in sports that has brought about this sea- change. Today, the sports ecosystem in the country has a pyramidal structure from grassroot to elite where talent identification and talent nurturing has become a continuous process. It was Modi ji’s vision with which the Target Olympic Podium Scheme was started in 2014. He wanted elite athletes to have all the facilities that they need to bring in the results. And today, that scheme and the support that has been extended through it, is showing results. Under TOPS we have two different categories of players – Development and Elite and for both set of players, the government provides training, diet, foreign exposures, equipment and personalised support to each athlete. They are also given a monthly out-of-pocket allowance of Rs 50,000 for elite athletes and Rs 25,000 to development athletes, so that they can even support their families with that money. In 2018, the Khelo India Scheme was introduced to identify talent at the grassroot and train them to represent India at international competitions. Many Khelo India Athletes are now part of the elite TOP Scheme. In fact 124 Khelo India Athletes were part of the Indian Contingent this year, most of who are part of TOPS as well. There is a definite growth in the athlete performances and there is support at every level. Khelo India Athletes are not just trained in SAI and Khelo India academies in state-of-the-art infrastructure, but are also given free coaching, lodging, diet and an Out-of-Pocket allowance of Rs 10,000 per month. We have also built a lot of sporting infrastructure to ensure that athletes in every corner of India have a place to start their sporting career. As many as 750 Khelo India Centers have been built in districts across the country and by next year we will take this number up to 1000. The sports budget has also been increased three times in 2022-23 compared to 2013-2014. These concrete steps have helped to ensure 360 support to athletes and their hard work is what is showing the results today.
