SAI Revamps Sports Structure, TOPS To Oversee All Olympic Disciplines
In a major administrative overhaul, the Sports Authority of India (SAI) has handed the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) division complete responsibility for all 27 Olympic disciplines, aiming to improve coordination and streamline athlete management ahead of major international events.
Under an order issued by Sports Secretary and SAI Director General Hari Ranjan Rao, the TOPS division, headed by former Olympian sailor N S Johal, will now function as the primary interface between SAI and National Sports Federations (NSFs) for Olympic sports.
The restructuring also merges the Target Asian Games Group (TAGG) into TOPS as a sub-group, bringing elite Olympic and Asian Games planning under a single administrative framework.
Originally launched in 2014 to support elite medal prospects in select disciplines, TOPS will now oversee sports including athletics, boxing, badminton, hockey, wrestling, shooting, archery, tennis, weightlifting, rowing, gymnastics, golf, squash, surfing, and skateboarding among others.
Apart from athlete preparation and coordination, TOPS has also been tasked with handling governance-related issues in federations whenever referred by the Sports Ministry, along with development proposals and budgeting matters for the allocated sports.
The division will additionally coordinate India’s participation in marquee multi-sport events such as the Olympic Games, Asian Games, and Commonwealth Games, besides Youth Olympics, Asian Youth Games, and Asian Beach Games.
Meanwhile, the Training of Elite Athletes and Management Support (TEAMS) division, also under Johal, will supervise para sports, winter sports, and non-Olympic disciplines. TEAMS will also coordinate National Sports Awards and ceremonial engagements linked to the President’s and Prime Minister’s offices.
According to SAI sources, the restructuring is intended to reduce operational bottlenecks and ensure smoother coordination between athletes, federations, and the government.