Lok Sabha Question No. 2626 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-27
Subject: Facilities to Para-athletes
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: MAHEISH GIRRI, KALIKESH NARAYAN SINGH DEO

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS (DEPARTMENT OF SPORTS)

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2626

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.12.2018

## Facilities to Para-athletes

## 2626.  SHRI MAHEISH GIRRI:

SHRI KALIKESH N. SINGH DEO:

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

- (a) whether the Government has taken any steps to provide world class facilities to para-athletes so as to train them for various International  competitions  including  Asian  Games,  Commonwealth Games and Olympic Games and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government has taken any steps to set up the state-ofthe-art high performance facilities for rehabilitation, fitness training and sports science and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government has taken steps to ensure proper lodging facilities including accessible accommodation and dedicated toilets for para-athletes in stadiums and gymnasiums and if so, the details thereof  along  with  the  details  of  other  facilities  provided  to  paraathletes; and
- (d) whether  the  Government  has  made  provision  for  availability  of mobility devices in sufficient quantity at stadiums and gymnasiums in the country for para-athletes and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS

(COL. RAJYAVARDHAN RATHORE (RETD.))

(a) & (b) Preparation  of  Indian  sportspersons  /  teams  for  international competitions including Asian Games, Commonwealth Games and Olympic

Games is an ongoing process.  This Ministry  has  recognised  Paralympic Committee  of India (PCI) as National Sports Federation (NSF) for promotion of sports among para-athletes and grants maximum financial assistance. Under the Scheme of Assistance to National Sports Federations, financial assistance is provided to NSFs, including the PCI, for preparation of athletes. The funding covers, inter-alia, expenditure on equipment,  state-of-the-art  infrastructure,  lodging,  services  of  reputed Indian and Foreign Coaches/supporting staff, scientific & medical support, training  abroad  and  participation  in  international  competitions  in  India and abroad.

In  addition,  under  the  Target  Olympic  Podium  (TOP)  Scheme, sportspersons, including para-athletes, having the best possible prospects in Mega events like the Olympics, are identified and provided with high level customised support.

Sports  Science/  Medicine  Centres  have  been  established  in  the Regional  Centres  and  Academic  Institutions  under  Sports  Authority  of India (SAI). List of such  centres  is in Annexure  -  I. Further, the Government  provides  financial  assistance  to  different  institutions  for establishment of sports science/medicine department. The list of institutions,  who  have  been  selected  for  financial  assistance  for  the purpose is in Annexure - II.

(c) & (d) Providing different facilities to para-athletes, including proper and accessible accommodation, mobility devices, dedicated toilets, etc., during training and competition falls under the purview of the organizers of such events. As regards facilities of the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and the Lakshmibai National Institute of Physical Education (LNIPE) are concerned,  making  them  disabled  friendly  is  an  ongoing  process  and action to address the needs of para-athletes are being taken from time to time.

Netaji  Subhas  Western Centre, Gandhinagar of Sports Authority of India  (SAI)  has  been  identified  and  developed  as  the  main  centre  for holding sports activities pertaining to differently-abled athletes.

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