New Delhi, Nov 2 (IANS): The Sports Ministry on Wednesday advised the National Sports Federations (NSFs) to identify the medal prospects for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics by the end of this month.

This step was taken to ensure that the core probables could get the world class support staff on a regular basis to deliver results.

The ministry has further advised NSFs to prepare a programme for the training of the medal prospects and for this the federations can also approach the National Sports Development Fund (NSDF) for any financial assistance required under the Target Olympic Podium (TOP) Scheme.

There will be a six-monthly review of the performance of the athletes and support staff for inclusion/exclusion in the list of core probable and their support staff. 

"The department has advised the NSFs to carry out the exercise of selection and review with total transparency and put up details of the same on their website as a part of suomoto disclosure," the ministry said in a statement.

"In respect of the sports discipline(s) in which NSFs are suspended/not recognised by MYAS, this exercise is to be undertaken by Sports Authority of India (SAI), namely Archery, Gymnastics, Judo, Tennis," it added.