Internet Desk: Former Olympics gold-medallist and Padma Bhusan award winning shooter Abhinav Bindra was designated as chairman of the re-constructed Target Olympic Podium (TOP). The other renowned members are star sprinter PT Usha and badminton legend Prakash Padukone.
Bindra was a part of the former committee too but left that to focus on his preparations for the 2016 Rio games.
In the 10-member panel, the other two sportspersons are former shooter Anjali Bhagwat and women weightlifter Karnam Malleswari. She won a bronze medal in 2000 Sydney Olympics.
The remaining five members are All India Tennis Association (AITA) Life President Anil Khanna, Boxing administrator P K Muralidharan Raja, Railways Sports Promotion Board Secretary Rekha Yadav, SS Roy, ED (Teams) SAI and Joint Secretary (Sports) Inder Dhamija.
“Committee will decide on its own procedures and will be competent to invite subject experts as and when required. The Initial tenure of the committee will be one year from the date of notification,” a ministry press release stated.
The Committee has the objective of identifying and supporting potential medal prospects for 2020 and 2024 Olympic Games under the TOP Scheme, which was formulated keeping in mind the 2016 and 2020 Olympic Games.
Under the scheme, the selected athletes are provided financial assistance for their customised training at Institutes having world-class facilities and other necessary support which is expected to result in improved performance and a higher position in medals tally for the country.
Benchmark for selection of athletes under the scheme is in relation to international standards.
With inputs from PTI.