India had a disappointing Rio Olympics 2016, winning only two medals despite heading to Brazil with the largest contingent ever from the country. PV Sindhu (badminton) and Sakshi Malik (wrestling) saved India's grace with silver and bronze, respectively, but some of the serious contenders like Saina Nehwal, Yogeshwar Dutt and Abhinav Bindra failed to bring glory to India.
Now, the sports ministry wants a better performance from India in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. They have instructed the National Sports Federations to identify various medal contenders, who will receive great support from the ministry to bring home the elusive gold medal.
Sports minister Vijay Goel, who is regularly seen at major sporting events, has given his nod as well. The ministry has also set a deadline of November 30, 2016, for the NSFs to send their medal prospects, which means that the respective federations have to get it cracking from today itself as just 28 days remain for the names to be finalised.
"Department of Sports has advised NSFs to identify medal prospects and their support staff for the 2020 Olympic Games by 30th November 2016. This is to ensure that the core probable get the support of dedicated world-class support staff on a continuing basis to be able to work as a coherent team and deliver," the ministry said in a statement.
The ministry does not want finance being an obstacle for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics preparations. They want the sports federations to approach the National Sports Development fund if they are in need of financial help.
"The NSFs should approach the National Sports Development Fund (NSDF) for any financial assistance required under the Target Olympic Podium (TOP) Scheme," the ministry said.
But the ministry has made it very clear that the selection process should be transparent.
"The department has advised the NSFs to carry out the exercise of selection and review with total transparency and put up details of the same on their website as a part of suo moto disclosure."
