TOPS clears Wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia training in Kyrgyzstan and Hungary

Tags: Sports Sports News

The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has given its approval to wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia for their training proposals under the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS).

An overview of the news

• The proposals were submitted by the wrestlers to the Ministry and the TOPS team, and they were cleared within 24 hours of the request.

• Bajrang Punia, an Olympic medalist, will participate in a 36-day training camp in Issyk-Kul, Kyrgyzstan.

• Vinesh Phogat, a medalist in world championships, will first undergo a week of training in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, followed by an 18-day training camp in Hungary.

• Vinesh Phogat will be accompanied by physiotherapist Ashwini Jeevan Patil, sparring partner Sangeeta Phogat, and Coach Sudesh during her training sessions.

• Bajrang Punia will be accompanied by Coach Sujeet Maan, Physiotherapist Anuj Gupta, sparring partner Jitender, and Strength and Conditioning expert Kaazi Hasan.

Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) 

• It was created in July 2014 under the auspices of the National Sports Development Fund (NSDF) with the objective of identifying and preparing potential medal prospects for the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

• It is a flagship program of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.

• The idea of the scheme is to look to the future and fund a developmental group of athletes who have the potential to bring medals to the Olympic Games in Paris in 2024 and Los Angeles in 2028.