New Delhi: The Mission Olympic Cell (MOC) of the Sports Ministry has decided to re-induct top recurve archer Deepika Kumari into the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS). This decision has been taken keeping the Paris Olympics in mind.
Deepika, who is returning to action after maternity leave, has performed well at the domestic and international level. She also won a medal at the Asia Cup 2024 earlier this year. The 29-year-old archer finished with a silver medal in the women’s individual recurve event at the 2024 Archery World Cup Stage 1 after losing to world number two Korean Lim Sih-yeon in the bout.
Apart from Deepika Kumari, archer Mrinal Chauhan has also been included in the Topps Development Group, while Praveen Jadhav has moved from Development to the Core Group.
During its 133rd meeting, the MOC inducted squash players Anahat Singh, Abhay Singh and Velavan Senthilkumar into the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) Development Group to help them prepare for the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028. In October 2023, the LA2028 Organizing Committee accepted squash for inclusion in the 2028 edition of the Games in Los Angeles.
“Given India’s performance in squash over the last two decades, particularly at the Commonwealth and Asian Games, the MOC has decided to include three squash players in its TOPS Development Group with the aim of preparing them for the global competition,” the ministry statement said. “To help provide all necessary assistance.”
Apart from this, para-powerlifter Ashok has also been included in the TOPS core group.
The former world no. 1 recurve archer Deepika Kumari, recently reclaimed her India no. 1 spot after she won a silver medal at the just-concluded Archery World Cup Stage 1 in Shanghai. Deepika jumped 100 places up to claim the spot as he re-entered the top 40 in the world rankings.
