Lok Sabha Question No. 2857 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-08-05
Subject: Impact of Covid-19 on Sportspersons
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: Karti P. Chidambaram

## MINISTRY OF YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA (DEPARTMENT OF SPORTS)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2857 TO BE ANSWERED ON 05.08.2021

Impact of Covid-19 on Sportspersons

2857. SHRI KARTI P. CHIDAMBARAM:

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

- (a)  whether  the  Government  is  aware  of  pressures  experienced  by sportspersons due to COVID-19 and if so, the details thereof;
- (b)  whether  the  Government  is  also  aware  of  pressures  upon  sports tournaments, matches and leagues due to COVID-19 and if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  whether the Government plans to provide any financial assistance to athletes, sportspersons or sporting organizations impacted as a result of COVID-19;
- (d)  if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (e)  whether public stadiums have been put to any use during the COVID19 lockdown; and
- (f)   if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER FOR YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS (SHRI ANURAG SINGH THAKUR)

- (a) to (f) Sports  is  a  'State'  Subject  and  the  primary  responsibility  of development  of  Sports,  including  imparting  training  to  sportspersons, conduct of sports tournaments, matches and leagues, grant of financial assistance to athletes, sportspersons and sporting organizations, and use of  public  stadia,  rests  with  the  respective  State  Governments  and

National Sports Federations (NSFs). The Government of India supplements and complements the efforts of the State Governments and NSFs in this regard.

Conventional training of athletes under various sports promotional schemes  of  Government  of  India  was  suspended  during  the  lockdown period  due  to  restrictions  imposed  in  view  of  the  COVID-19  pandemic. However, Standard Operating Procedures for opening of sports  venues and  resumption  of  sports  training  have  been  issued  by  the  Ministry  in consultation with the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Health.

A  COVID  Task  Force  Committee  has  also  been  set-up  by  SAI  to ensure that the guidelines are strictly implemented at the SAI training centre.  The  Committee  is  responsible  for  the  constant  monitoring  and management of the health protocols issued by the Government.

Regular interaction with the athletes was undertaken by SAI by way of seminars and workshops conducted by experts in sports psychology, sports science/medicating, nutrition in COVID 19, strength and conditioning,  high  performance  sports  environment,  anti-doping  were organized via, video conferencing and through social media platforms to educate athletes on coping with stress and depression and focusing on their objectives.

With  the  help  of  local  authorities,  vaccination  drive  for  Olympic bound athletes, National Campers and their Coaches, Support Staff was initiated at Sports Authority of India centres. In addition, the Government has ensured that few athletes who are training abroad also receive their vaccinations timely.

During  the  second  wave  of  Covid-19,  Olympic-bound  athletes continued their training at foreign facilities or trained in training camps following  strict  Standard  Operating  Procedures  (SOP).  Further,  those Olympic-bound athletes who could not go back to their places due to lock down were given equipment in their rooms for training in SAI Centres. National Coaching Camps were conducted in a bio-bubble for the Olympic bound athletes.

While  the  sports  promotional  schemes  of  the  Ministry  of  Youth Affairs & Sports have provision for grant of financial assistance to eligible entities for creation of sports infrastructure and facilities, and training of sports persons, no specific scheme is being implemented by this Ministry that has provisions for grant of financial assistance to athletes, sportspersons or sporting organizations impacted as a result of COVID-19.

However, Department of Sports supports selected athletes/ campers through the Scheme of Assistance to National Sports Federations (NSFs), which  includes  medical  insurance  policy  of ₹ 5.00  lakh  and  Personal accident policy (Disability/ Death) of ₹ 25.00 lakh. Since 01.06.2021 the Government  has  extended  this  facility  to  coaches,  sports  analysts, doctors, physiotherapists, masseurs etc. in National Camps held all over India,  athletes  undergoing training under Khelo India scheme, athletes and coaches in various training Centre of SAI, and sports science staff at various  National  Centre  of  Excellence  (NCoE).  Apart  from  this,  under Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), Government takes care of sudden and unanticipated requirements of elite athletes including their medical needs.

Also, under the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay National Welfare Funds for Sportspersons (PDUNWFS) Scheme, an assistance of upto ₹ 10 lakh is extended to ex-sportspersons who have retired from active sports and their family members for medical treatment and assistance of upto ₹ 5.00 lakh  is  provided  to  families  of  deceased  sportspersons.  Under  this scheme, assistance upto ₹ 5.00  lakh is provided to sportspersons who have been injured during training and participation in sports competitions on case to case basis.

The Sports Authority of India (SAI) is responsible for maintenance and  operation  of  only  five  stadia  in  Delhi,  viz.,  the  Jawaharlal  Nehru Stadium  Complex,  Indira  Gandhi  Sports  Complex,  Dr.  Shyama  Prasad Mukherjee Swimming Pool Complex, Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium and  Dr.  Karni  Singh  Shooting  Range.  The  other  centres  of  SAI  are operational on sites made available by the respective State/UT Governments. No sports activities were undertaken in the SAI centres.

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