India, Feb. 12 -- Sports Authority of India's Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) is drawing flak from athletes in a year of the Asian Games and the Commonwealth Games. The best shooting talents were ignored by TOPS in 2025 despite having its most successful result in a world championship.

Now frustration is spilling over as athletes are preparing hard for the Asian Games and LA Olympics qualification tournaments. The union government's programme is meant to provide financial and holistic support to athletes but it seems little has been done after the Paris Olympics.

On Thursday, India swept the podium in 50m 3P at the Asian Championships here, after an intense and thrilling battle for the gold between teammates Aishwary Pratap Singh To...