Syndrela Das and Payas Jain named in TOPS development list ahead of Asian Games

India’s table tennis pipeline received a timely boost with youngsters **Syndrela Das** and **Payas Jain**, both bound for the Asian Games, being included in the **Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) – Development category**.

The inclusion is a constructive step for emerging athletes who are moving from promising results to consistent international preparation. While the TOPS core group often draws attention for supporting established names, the development category is designed to strengthen the next rung—helping talented juniors and youth players bridge the gap to senior-level competition.

What the TOPS development inclusion signals The TOPS framework, under India’s broader high-performance ecosystem, is aimed at enabling athletes with structured support. Being added to the development category typically indicates that selectors and performance managers see strong potential and a clear trajectory—especially for those who are beginning to feature on major multi-sport rosters.

For table tennis, where international exposure and sustained training cycles can make a decisive difference, such recognition is also a vote of confidence. It can help athletes and their teams plan better—across coaching inputs, tournament schedules, and other performance needs—while staying aligned with national priorities.

In practical terms, the development category complements the work done by federations and training centres by identifying athletes early and backing them through a demanding transition phase.

Syndrela Das: Youth medals underline upward curve Syndrela’s inclusion has been bolstered by her recent performances at the **Asian Youth Championships in Thailand earlier this year**. According to the source report, she won a **silver medal in the Girls’ Doubles** and a **bronze in the Girls’ Singles**.

These results matter because they come in a competitive Asian field and reflect an ability to handle different match situations—doubles coordination and singles endurance—across the same event. For a young player, such outcomes can be key markers of readiness as the competitive environment rises in intensity.

As Indian table tennis continues to deepen its bench strength, youth-level medals at continental events also offer a clear message: the next generation is not only participating, but also pushing into the medal brackets.

Payas Jain: backing potential as preparations build Payas Jain’s inclusion in the TOPS development category similarly places focus on continuity—supporting a young athlete at a stage where structured preparation, strategic exposure, and performance monitoring can create long-term gains.

With the Asian Games on the horizon, being part of TOPS development is an encouraging signal for any athlete’s training camp. It aligns personal goals with a national performance roadmap and helps keep the athlete ecosystem—coaches, trainers, and support staff—working towards shared milestones.

For Indian sport, such additions are also a reminder that progress is often built through patient investment. As newer names move into major squads, the systems around them need to keep pace.

**Why it matters:** TOPS development support for emerging Asian Games athletes strengthens India’s long-term talent pipeline, rewards credible youth performances, and helps young table tennis players prepare more systematically for high-pressure international competition.