Lok Sabha Question No. 3709 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-03-18
Subject: Welfare of National Sportspersons
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: Jayant Sinha, Maneka Sanjay Gandhi, Feroze Varun Gandhi, Jagdambika Pal

## MINISTRY OF YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA (DEPARTMENT OF SPORTS)

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3709

TO BE ANSWERED ON 18.03.2021

Welfare of National Sportspersons

3709. Shri Jayant Sinha Shrimati Maneka Sanjay Gandhi Shri Feroze Varun Gandhi Shri Jagdambika Pal

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

- (a)  Whether  the  Government  has  taken  any  steps  to  ensure  the welfare  of  national  sportspersons  and  take  care  of  their  physical, mental and financial needs during the lockdown, if so, the details thereof  including  the  financial  assistance  provided  during  the  last three years;
- (b) the steps taken / being taken to ensure athletes participating in the  upcoming  Tokyo  Olympics  and  Asian  Games,  2022  remain physically and mentally fit and healthy; and
- (c) the steps taken to ensure that the athletes participating in the Tokyo  Olympics  and  other  upcoming  International  Tournaments receive an adequate and safe practice environment ?

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

- (a)  to  (c):  Sir,  in  view  of  the  COVID-19  pandemic,  the  following measures  were  taken  for  the  welfare  of  the  sportspersons  during the pandemic:
- i)  Standard  Operating  Procedure  (SOP)  were  laid  down  to  resume sports  activities  in  the  training  centres  under  the  name  of  'Khelo India-Firr  Se'.  The  SOP  covers  all  stakeholders  at  the  training centres including:
-  All Athletes
-  All technical and non-technical support staff
-  All administrative staff
-  All hostel and facility management staff
-  All visitors to the centre

A COVID Task Force Committee was set-up to ensure the guidelines are strictly implemented at the training centre. The committee was responsible  for  the  constant  monitoring  and  management  of  the health protocols of the government.

The  SOP  categorises  the  sporting  disciplines  into  non-contact sports,  minimal/medium-contact  sports,  full  contact  sports  and water sports.

- ii) Regular interaction with the athletes was done in order to boost their  morale  and  keep  them  motivated  in  these  tough  times. Seminars  and  workshops  by  experts  in  sports  psychology,  sports science/medicine,  nutrition  in  Covid,  strength  &  conditioning,  high performance  sports  environment,  anti-doping  have  been  organized for  Target  Olympic  Podium  Scheme  (TOPS)  athletes  via,  video conferencing,  social  media  like  Facebook  Live,  Insta  Live  etc.,  to educate athletes about how to cope with stress during tough times and  focusing on their objectives so that the training is not hampered.

## iii) National Coaching Camps :

National  Coaching  Camps  were  resumed  from  01.06.2020  for  the 2021 Olympic bound athletes. The SOP formulated is being strictly followed at the national camps. Timetable has been formulated for the athletes (or group of athletes in case of team sport) so that they can train without coming in contact with the other athletes. Other than the coaches, support staff and necessary administrative staff, no one else is allowed to meet or interact with the athletes at the national camps.

During the lockdown Phase, the athletes under TOPS Scheme which covers upcoming Olympics 2021 (Tokyo), 2024 (Paris) and 2028 (Los Angeles)  as  well  as  Asian  Games,  2022  probable  athletes  were provided with necessary sporting equipment such as (Barbell Rods, weights, Exercise Bicycle etc.), air pellets, target system with the help  from  SAI  Regional  Centres,  State  Governments  and  NGOs  at their homes during the first phases of nationwide lockdown so that they can train within their homes. This facility was extended as per request  of  the  athlete  and  feasibility  of  operationalizing  the  same during lockdown. To ensure the welfare of national sportspersons and to take care of their  physical,  mental  and  financial  needs  during  the  lockdown, including  the  financial  assistance  provided  during  the  last  three

years is as follows :

| YEAR    | Funds (OPA) released to Athletes through TOPS scheme (Rs. in crore)   | Funds (OPA) released to Athletes through TOPS scheme (Rs. in crore)   | Funds (OPA) released through Khelo India Scheme (Rs. in crore)   |
|---------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------|
|         | Core Group                                                            | Development Group                                                     |                                                                  |
| 2017-18 | 6.51                                                                  | --                                                                    | --                                                               |
| 2018-19 | 5.94                                                                  | --                                                                    | 11.80                                                            |
| 2019-20 | 5.93                                                                  | --                                                                    | 31.86                                                            |
| 2020-21 | 4.60                                                                  | 3.00                                                                  | 25.92                                                            |

Currently,  104  athletes  and  2  teams  (Senior  Hockey  Men  and Women)  in  the  TOPS  Core  Group  and 269  athletes in  TOPS Development  Group  are  being  provided  Out  of  Pocket  Allowance (OPA)  of  Rs.  50,000/-  and  Rs.  25,000/-  respectively.  Under  Khelo India Scheme, 2947 budding athletes have been identified. OPA of Rs. 10,000/- per month is being provided to identify athletes under this scheme.

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