Modi govt's 'TOPS' policy for athletes led to India winning its best-ever tally in Olympics: Sonowal

New Delhi, Aug 7 (PTI) Modi government's 'TOPS' policy to help athletes that was started in 2014 led to country winning its best-ever tally in Olympics and its first gold in athletics, Union minister Sarbananda Sonowal said on Saturday.

He said 'Target Olympic Podium Scheme' (TOPS) was started in September 2014 under guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Sports Minister Anurag Thakur led selection panel comprising experts to search for potential medal winners, said Sonowal who was sports minister till 2017 in first dispensation of Modi government before becoming chief minister of Assam.

Sonowal said under this scheme government provided financial assistance, training, coaching and medical help whenever required to athletes and sportspersons.

He furr said main target of scheme was to win medals in 2020 Olympics.

Debutant javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra shattered several glass ceilings to become country's first gold-medallist in 13 years in Olympics. With dition of Chopra's gold on last day of ir competitive schedule, India signed off with seven medals in all, including two silver and four bronze PTI JTR  AAR AAR