Lok Sabha Question No. 4865 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-03-25
Subject: Selection of Talented Sportspersons
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: Vijay Kumar

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## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA (DEPARTMENT OF SPORTS)

## MINISTRY OF YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. † 4865 TO BE ANSWERED ON 25-03-2021

Selection of Talented Sportspersons

4865. SHRI VIJAY KUMAR:

Will the Minister of YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS be pleased to state:

- a) the  names  of  international  level  sports  for  which  talented sportspersons are selected in the country;
- b) whether the Government has selected any talented sportspersons belonging to the weaker sections/ families in the country;
3. c)
4. if so, the details thereof, State and sports-wise; and
- d) the  aspects  which  are  considered  by  the  Government  for encouraging  the  sportspersons  in  the  sporting  events  and scaling up the level of excellence at the international level? ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS (SHRI KIREN RIJIJU)

- a), b) and c) : The Government recognizes Sports Federation and Sports Associations, which are responsible for promotion of  their  respective  sports  disciplines,  including  selection  of talented sportspersons in the country and their participation in sports events included in Olympics/Paralympics, Commonwealth  Games,  Asian/Para  Asian  Games  and  other International Championships  and  World  Cups  in  different disciplines. For participation in the international level sports,

the sportsperson are selected by the respective Sports Federations and Sports Associations, who enjoy full autonomy in  the  matter.  The  selection  is  purely  on  the  basis  of  their potential and performance irrespective of his/her financial/social condition.

- d): Some  of the aspects which are considered by the Government for encouraging the sportspersons in the sporting events and scaling up the level of excellence at the international  level  are  imparting  of  specialized  training  to promising athletes by providing state of the art infrastructure and training facilities, sports science backup, diet prescribed by nutritionists with overall supervision of the best coaches, qualified support staff, High  Performances  Directors  and incentives of Cash awards, Out of Pocket Allowance etc. To achieve the objective, the Government has undertaken several initiatives as under:
- (i) Scheme  of  Assistance  to  National  Sports  Federation (NSF): The Government provides assistance to elite sportspersons preparing for major international events such as Olympic Games, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games etc. by providing  funding  support  through  its  scheme  of  Scheme  of Assistance to National Sports Federations (NSFs), as per ACTC (Annual  Calendar  for  Training  and  Competition).  As  part  of scheme,  NSFs  are  provided  funding  for  organizing  training camps  which  includes  training,  accommodation  and  dietary costs as well.
- (ii) Target  Olympic  Podium  Scheme  (TOPS):  The  Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOP Scheme or TOPS) is a flagship athlete centric program of the Government to provide assistance t o India's top athletes in their preparations for the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

## Core Group:

The  Government  has  identified  104  potential  athletes  (Core Group) in different sports disciplines for special focus, who are being  funded  under  TOP  Scheme  through  National  Sports Development Fund (NSDF). These athletes are being provided best  of  the  customized  special  training  in  their  respective disciplines  under  renowned  coaches  and  training  institutes within  the  country  and  abroad.    Some  of  these  athletes  are medal prospects in the upcoming International Competitions. Under TOPS Core Group each athlete receives Out of Pocket Allowance of Rs. 50,000/- per month.

## Development Group:

To ensure a focused approach in India's Olympic preparation, the Government has identified 14 sport disciplines viz.Archery, Athletics, Badminton, Boxing, Cycling, Fencing, Hockey, Judo, Shooting, Swimming, Table Tennis, Wrestling, Weightlifting and Rowing as priority disciplines for excellence at Olympics 2024 and 2028 and other upcoming International Competitions. Of the mentioned 14 priority disciplines, the talent identification of 269 best sporting talents has been completed.

Under TOPS Development Group each athlete receives Out of Pocket  Allowance  of  Rs.  25,000/-  per  month  and  customized training support at National Centre of Excellence (NCOE).

- (iii) Further, to encourage sportspersons to perform in International sports events/competitions, the Government has in  place  the ' Scheme  of  Cash  Awards  for  medal  winners  in International sports events and their coaches ' ,  whereby cash incentive ranging from Rs.20,000/- to Rs.75,00,000/-  is given to the sportsperson depending upon the nature of competition and his/her performance.

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