CHENNAI: The Target Olympic Podium (TOP) Scheme has been remodelled by the sports ministry over the last month. The government-backed initiative, identifying athletes capable of medalling at events like the Olympics, had come in for criticism from various quarters following the disappointments at Rio last year.
More than 150 elite athletes were getting funded thanks to the programme. The new list, approved by the government some three weeks ago, has only 45 names. Most of the usual suspects — PV Sindhu, Gagan Narang, Dipa Karmakar — figure. However, the list has attracted attention because it also contains names of three sportspersons who excel in a non-Olympic discipline — squash. Joshna Chinappa, Dipika Pallikal and Saurav Ghosal will all be under the new list till the end of the Asian Games in Jakarta next year (August-September).
Joshna was surprised to find her name there. “When they (sports ministry) contacted me three weeks ago to speak about this, I was pleasantly surprised,” she tells Express. “I didn’t even know we (squash players) could be a part of TOP Scheme. I thought it was only for Olympic sports.”
The 30-year-old is excited at the development and hopes it will help her delivering for India. “They obviously look at us (squash players) as medal prospects (at the Commonwealth and Asian Games) and they want to give us more support so that we can get whatever we need like taking support staffs to tournaments. We will be getting all the financial support and backing for the next year.”
It’s something Joshna can do with because the next 12 months is going to be loaded with big-ticket events, both on Tour and for India. “My season on Tour begins now — starting with the China Open on Tuesday — and I have a busy schedule until the World Championships in December. Apart from that, there are two-three events for India. But as a professional athlete that’s what one looks forward to.”
Over the weekend, the World No 14 also notched up another impressive landmark in a career filled with them — 15th title in the nationals. She started winning around the turn of the century and it’s developed into a habit. A lot has changed in the sport in India but Joshna has been one of the few constants.
“When I started, we were playing nine-point games, the court was 19 inches long, it was changed to 17 inches this year. There has been lots of changes, a lot of talented juniors have entered the scene in the last 5-7 years.”
swaroop@newindianexpress.com