With the Tokyo Olympics just around the corner, the Mission Olympic Cell has sanctioned ₹ 50,000 per athlete as an out-of-pocket allowance (OPA) for the players of the Indian Mens’ and Women’s team under India’s Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS). It will be a big morale lifter for the players who will look to train harder and fight for an Olympic medal which will be India’s first in Hockey since 1980.
A total of 58 hockey players, 33 men and 25 women will get the money and will benefit from this scheme which is mostly to motivate them to do well on the field.
Speaking about the scheme Indian men’s hockey team captain Manpreet Singh said, “This is a big incentive for all the players in the men’s core group who are preparing for the Tokyo Olympic Games.”
He continued, “We are very elated on hearing about this news, and would like to thank the government. We have many players who come from very difficult economic backgrounds and an allowance of this accord will definitely help them pursue the sport through to the Olympic Games without any hindrance.”
It is also a historic moment for the Indian Women’s Hockey team as they are being considered for the TOPS for the first time. Therefore Indian Women’s Hockey team captain Rani Rampal was delighted with the initiative as she highlighted the importance of bringing the men’s and the women’s under the same umbrella.
She remarked, “This is the first time the entire women’s hockey core group has been included in the TOPS Scheme and we are very thankful to the government. This decision taken today really goes to show that the women’s team is equally important, and we are being given equal benefits which is a big encouragement for us. This will be a huge encouragement to the core group who are preparing for the Tokyo Olympic Games.”
Hockey India President Gyanendro Ningombam concluded, “On behalf of us, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude for approving OPA. This will certainly be a big encouragement for the players ahead of the Tokyo Olympic Games.”
The Indian Men’s team have been preparing really well as they recently ended their European Tour in Belgium and in the four-match tour they remained unbeaten against Germany and Great Britain, defeating both teams once in the process. While the Women’s team have also been working hard. There are hopes pinned on both the Hockey teams to do well at the Tokyo Olympics as India look to get back it’s lost glory in the sport.
