Discus thrower Seema Antil is among the athletes covered by insurance ©Getty Images

India’s Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sport has announced a partnership with Oriental Insurance as part of its Target Olympic Podium (TOP) scheme.

The Ministry sought bids from public sector insurance companies to provide cover for athletes under the TOP scheme, which is aiming to increase the country’s medal tally at Rio 2016 and identify potential future stars for Tokyo 2020.

Oriental Insurance, a leading Indian company in its field, will cover indoor medical treatment of up to Rs.10 lakh (£10,000/$15,700/€14,100) and insurance of Rs.50 lakh (£50,200/$78,700/€70,700) in case of death or permanent disability due to an accident through to Rio 2016.

The step of designating an “Insurance Partner” has been taken for the first time by the Department of Sports as it seeks support from companies under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives for sports.

Oriental Insurance chairman A.K. Saxena gave a cheque of Rs.5.8 lakh (£5,800/$9,100/€8,200) to sports secretary Ajit M Sharan as an initial contribution to the National Sports Development Fund (NSDF) as reimbursement of athletes’ insurance premiums.  

As, and when, more athletes formally sign up for the TOP scheme, the Ministry will take their insurance policy and Oriental Insurance will reimburse the premium amount to the NSDF as CSR.

Former India cricket captain Rahul Dravid is part of the Target Olympic Podium committee
Former India cricket captain Rahul Dravid is part of the Target Olympic Podium committee ©Getty Images

India officially launched its TOP scheme in October as it looks to improve on a disappointing return of of just 26 medals at the Olympics that includes nine golds, six silvers and 11 bronzes.

Eight of those gold have come from the men's hockey team, the last coming at Moscow in 1980, while shooter Abhinav Bindra's gold at Beijing 2008 is India's sole individual Olympic title.

Bindra was drafted in as one of four athletes on the Committee that will be in charge of the scheme, alongside five-time world champion and Olympic bronze medal winning boxer Mary Kom, long jumper Anju Bobby George, who won World Championship bronze in 2003, and former Indian cricket captain Rahul Dravid.

Indian national badminton coach Pullela Gopichand is also on the Committee, which is chaired by vice-president of the Indian Olympic Association Anurag Thakur.

Particular focus is on identifying athletes in archery, athletics, badminton, boxing, shooting and wrestling.


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