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.
What specific support was extended to athletes to prepare for this Asian Games?
After CWG, specialised training camps were organised for the preparation for Asian Games. We appointed 275 foreign experts, including coaches, high performance directors, high performance managers, physiotherapists, psychologists. Besides, more than 75 foreign exposures were given to athletes. Specialized support under TOPS has been provided to the athletes, with Neeraj Chopra (Athletics), Satwik Sairaj & Chirag C Shetty (Badminton), Sharath Kamal (Table Tennis) and Vishnu Saravanan (Sailing) as the top beneficiaries; towards the support for International Exposures, Procurement of Sports Equipment, training, hiring of Coaches & Support Staff.
As per the requirement of athletes, they have trained abroad in the best training facilities. Neeraj Chopra has had 586 days of rigorous training across Europe, South Africa, and the USA. A dedicated foreign coach Dr. Bartonietz Klaus & personal physiotherapist ensure year-round excellence. We have done well in sailing too and sailers under TOPS were provided support to the tune of Rs. 2.88 Cr. towards foreign training & competition, procurement of equipment & hiring of coaches and support staff. Avinash Sable was provided foreign training & competitions in USA, Switzerland, Hungary & Morocco and a dedicated coach was hired for him. In shooting, we have given ammunition Support to the tune of Rs. 4.00 Cr. along with foreign specialized training camps in Germany, Italy, France & Czech Republic along with 185 days of Coaching camps for ammunition & barrel testing. In badminton, HS Prannoy was provided specialized equipment for post training recovery and crucial sustained performance along with personal support staff—S&C Trainer, Nutritionist, & Psychologist—ensures comprehensive care.
Nearly 30 per cent of the total medals have come from athletics. Does it seem like India’s strength in athletics has really improved?
Earlier, India was seen as a nation that did well in sports like wrestling, boxing, shooting but athletics was seen as a sport where the west and African countries dominated. It was felt that we do not have the genes that are required for excellence in athletics. We have gone up to the fourth position so many times and missed the medal. But that has changed. I feel the Olympic Gold of Neeraj Chopra in Tokyo has made a huge difference in the mindset of athletes. There is a confidence not only in athletics but in other sports too with which our athletes compete now. Avinash Sable’s CWG medal in the 3000m steeplechase, where he beat athletes from Kenya was another moment where it became clear that we are as good in that discipline. In this Games Parul Choudhary’s gold in the 5000m stands out, not only because it is a historic medal, but also because the confidence she showed in surpassing the Japanese athlete in the last 10 seconds to get the gold. It was evident that mentally she did not give up on the Gold even till the very end. Earlier they participated with the Hope of winning, now they know they can win. They go to win, not participate. That is a big change.
Many athletes have told me that when they represent the country now not only do they feel they have training at par with the best in the world, but they also feel that 1.4 billion people are supporting them. Honourable PM’s initiative to meet contingents before they leave for major competitions, to directly call them after a win or even if they lose, meeting them and sharing their success once they are back has created a huge positive impact in the minds of our athletes. Yeh Hai Nayi Soch, Naya Bharath.
In terms of support, athletes were provided specialized international exposure for groups (jumps, sprints, racewalk, middle & long distance and throws) were provided for USA, Europe & Central Asia. The targeted groups were also provided with best foreign experts, sports equipment and injury management & rehabilitation.
Women athletes have played a significant role in winning medals. Do you think it shows a change in India’s sports landscape?
Today, the opportunities available to women in this country is huge in every sphere – from Parliament to the Podium. Our women athletes have made us proud by winning 50.2 per cent of the total medals and more bronze medals than the men. This goes to show that they have prepared themselves to face the best in the world. Women have contributed in winning several first-time medals, including cricket, table tennis, golf, equestrian. Besides, in 3000 meter steeplechase and in 50 meter rifle, Indian women athletes have won both the gold and bronze, and in 10m pistol, they have won both the gold and silver. This is a phenomenal feat. Our women in sport have brought in gender equality like in no other field. There has been a sustained effort on the part of the government to promote women in sports. A big example of that is the special Khelo India Women’s Leagues that were launched last year in all leading sporting disciplines and has seen a participation of more than 1.5 lakh women athletes. Providing competition exposure to them through these leagues has been an important step in giving women athletes not just an opportunity but the confidence that one can get only through competition exposure. Inspired by young icons like PV Sindhu, Mirabai Chanu, Nikhat Zareen, Lovlina Borgohain more young girls are taking up sports as a career and the government is prepared to support them in every way.
What is the preparation for the Paris Olympics?
The training of athletes who are likely to represent India in Paris has started 2 years back and the training is on track. We have recently also upgraded the facilities at 3 National Centers of Excellence in Patiala, Bengaluru and Lucknow to provide international-level facilities to our athletes. Besides, we have greatly strengthened our sports science facilities and hired more than 200 experts as High Performance Managers and Directors to improve overall training. All athletes will continue to get overall as well as personalised support from TOPS
