The Sports Authority of India (SAI) has restructured its day-to-day operations by giving the NS Johal-led Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) division responsibility for 27 Olympic sports disciplines. The division has also been asked to handle matters related to governance in national federations whenever directed by the Sports Ministry.According to an order issued by Sports Secretary Hari Ranjan Rao, who is also Director General of SAI, the TOPS division will now act as the main point of contact between SAI and the respective National Sports Federations (NSFs).Johal, who already heads the Target Asian Games Group (TAGG), will continue to oversee TAGG as a sub-group under TOPS.TOPS was launched in 2014 to help elite athletes train and compete in priority sports such as boxing, badminton and athletics.Under the new structure, TOPS will fully oversee aquatics, archery, athletics, badminton, boxing, canoeing, cycling, equestrian, fencing, golf, gymnastics, hockey, judo, modern pentathlon, rowing, sailing, shooting, skateboarding, sports tanking, tennis, and tennis. Taekwondo, tennis, triathlon, weightlifting and wrestling.TOPS will act as the “primary interface” between SAI and concerned NSFs, associations and stakeholders for assigned sports, the order said.This division will also deal with governance matters referred by the Ministry as well as development proposals and budgetary matters of NSFs related to these sectors.TOPS is also tasked with coordinating India’s participation in the Olympic Games, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, Youth Olympics, Asian Youth Games and Asian Beach Games.The Training of Elite Athletes and Management Support Division (TEMS), which also falls under Juhl, will handle operations related to disciplines outside of TOPS, including top sports, winter sports and non-Olympic disciplines.Johal is a former Olympian sailor.The Thames Division will also coordinate functions related to National Sports Awards and Republic Day, Rashtrapati Bhavan and Prime Minister’s Office.
