Various schemes for sports players have been implemented by the Ministry of Sports, Government of India, so that the players can improve their game and make India famous at the International Level. Target Olympic Podium Scheme – TOPS had been implemented in 2014 under the Mission Olympic Cell for more Indian athletes to participate in the Olympics to be held in 2024 and 2028 next year and win medals.
Guidance of experienced coaches would be provided including the right environment to make the athletes of 12 different sports played in the Olympics more competent in their sport and they can compete in the competition. 256 players have been selected in 12 different games this year. These selected players will receive INR 25,000 per month, which can be utilized to improve their sports coaching.
For Table Tennis, four players have been selected under the TOPS out of which three are from Gujarat and one from West Bengal. The three players from Gujarat are Harmeet Desai (Surat), Manav Thakkar (Surat), and Manush Shah (Vadodara).
Manush Shah is an emerging left-handed TT player who began playing table tennis in 2010 and has won many medals in national competitions as a representative of Gujarat’s Junior and Senior team in about 50 National Table Tennis Competitions. He has represented India at the international level too and has won medals for our country. Representing India, he has played for the Indian team in about 35 International Junior Table Tennis Tournaments. He has scored medals for India at the Asian Junior Championships, World Junior Championships, World Junior Circuit Finals, World School Games, and Asian School Games.
Currently, Manush is preparing for the next Olympics in this pandemic by practicing at home for 2 hours a day under his coach’s guidance and is also working hard for his physical fitness and agility. He said that the TOPS will help him achieve his goals for winning a medal in Olympics as well as provide him the much needed national and international exposure before the competition. He expressed his gratitude towards his coach for providing the table and robot to help him practice at home during this difficult time.
