Lok Sabha Question No. 1825 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-07-29
Subject: Tokyo Olympics
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: Rajiv Pratap Rudy

## Government of India Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports Department of Sports

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1825 TO BE ANSWERD ON 29.07.2021

Tokyo Olympics

1825. SHRI RAJIV PRATAP RUDY:

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

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  taken  any  steps  to  boost  India's performance  at  international  sporting  events  like  Olympics  and Asian Games;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  the  details  of  the  steps  taken  to  boost  India's  performance  at Tokyo Olympics;
- (d) whether the Government has taken steps to improve access and training facilities  for  aspiring  young  sportspersons  across  the country and if so, the details thereof; and
- (e)  whether  the  Government  has  instituted  the  steps  to  provide continued  livelihood  and  training  support  to  international  sporting medal  winners  from  disadvantaged  backgrounds  and  if  so,  the details thereof?

## THE MINISTER OF YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS

## ANSWER [SHRI ANURAG SINGH THAKUR]

(a) to (c) Preparation  for  International  events  including  Olympics and Asian Games is a continuous process. Training and competitive exposure to sportspersons preparing for international sports events including Olympics is taken care of under the Scheme of Assistance to National Sports Federations. The Scheme broadly covers support towards:

- -training camps in India and abroad
- -international competition exposures
- -hiring of Indian and foreign coaches, support staff
- -training equipment
- -
- hosting of national and international championships in India
- -medical insurance for injuries

Further, support for customised training of medal prospects including  for  Olympic  Games  and  Asian  Games  is  provided  under Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) under the overall ambit of National Sports Development Fund.

A High-Level Committee was constituted to oversee the preparation of Indian contingent for the Olympic Games, Tokyo 2020. During the second  wave  of  Covid-19,  several  athletes  were  sent  abroad  for training so that  they  may  remain  unaffected  by  the  ongoing pandemic in the country. Other Tokyo probables were trained in the training camps with social distancing.

- (d) 'Sports'  is  a  State  subject.  It  is  the  primary  responsibility  of the State Governments to develop sports including development and creation of sports infrastructure of international standards. However,  Central  Government  also  provides  financial  assistance under its scheme of 'Khelo India' to States/UTs to develop critical sports infrastructure and other infrastructure, where there are gaps, including for  sports  science  and  sports  equipment  on  the  basis  of viable proposals from them.

Training of sportspersons preparing to participate in major international  tournaments  is  mainly  held  at  Centres  of  Sports Authority of India, which have adequate facilities. Further, in order to  improve  the  facilities  owned  by  the  State  Governments,  each State  is  permitted  to  identify  one  existing  sports  facilities  to  be declared  as  Khelo  India  State  Centre  of  Excellence  (SLKISCE) wherein financial support is provided for manpower and upgradation of sports infrastructure facilities by conducting gap analysis. Such 24 SLKISCEs have already started across the country.

(e) For providing financial security, the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports  is  implementing  the  Scheme  of  Pension  to  Meritorious Sportspersons,  under  medallists  of  Olympic  Games,  Para-Olympic Games,  Asian  Games,  Para  Asian  Games,  Commonwealth  Games and  World  Cup/World  Championships  in  disciplines  of  Olympic Games  and  Asian  Games  are  eligible  for  lifelong  pension  in  the range of Rs. 12,000 to Rs. 20,000 per month, once they retire from active sports or attain the age of 30 years, whichever is earlier. Further,  the  Ministry  is  also  implementing  the  scheme  of  Pandit Deendayal  Upadhayay  National  Welfare  Fund  for  Sportspersons, under  which  financial  support  upto  Rs.  5  lakh  is  provided  to sportspersons living in indigent circumstances, families of deceased sportspersons.  Further,  assistance  upto  Rs.  10  lakh  for  medical treatment to sportspersons or family members, assistance upto Rs. 10 lakh for injuries sustained during training for and participation in sports  competitions,  assistance  upto  Rs.  2.5  lakh  for  training, procurement of equipments and participation in national and international sports events, assistance upto Rs. 2 lakh to coaches and support personnel and assistance upto Rs. 4 lakh for medical treatment  of  coaches  and  support  personnel  is  provided  from  the above-said Fund.

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