Lok Sabha Question No. 606 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-02-04
Subject: Assistance to sportsmen
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: Pratima Mondal

## MINISTRY OF YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA (DEPARTMENT OF SPORTS)

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 606 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04/02/2021

## Assistance to sportsmen

†606. SHRIMATI PRATIMA MONDAL

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

- (a) the  steps  proposed  to  be  taken  by  the  Government  for  ensuring safety during sports in the post Covid 19 situation; and
- (b) the assistance provided by the Government to the sports persons for sustaining their training and practice during pandemic period?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) & (b) The  Ministry  of  Youth  Affairs  &  Sports,  being  the  nodal Ministry  for  implementation  of  Sports  related  policy  decisions  at  the National level, has taken the following major steps for ensuring safety during sports in the post Covid 19 situation :
- I. The Ministry has issued the following Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and Guidelines for sports related activities in the COVID-19 environment :
- a. SOP for resumption of swimming training of sportspersons in COVID-19 environment.
- b. SOP for  Organizing  Sports  Competitions  in  the  Country  in  a COVID-19 Environment.
- c.
- SOP for opening up of Stadia for Sports events
- d. SOP for operation of Swimming Pools in a Covid-19 Environment.
- ii. Sports  Authority  of  India  (SAI),  an  autonomous  body  under  the aegis of the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports has issued an SOP for Sports Activities.

Assistance is also being provided to the sports persons for sustaining their  training  and  practice  during  pandemic  period.  Details  of  such assistance provided are given in Annexure - I.

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ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) & (b) OF UNSTARRED Q NO. 606 FOR 04/02/2021 REGARDING ASSISTANCE TO SPORTSPERSONS ASKED BY SMT. PRATIMA MONDAL, HON'BLE MP.

## Details of assistance provided to the sports persons for sustaining their training and practice during pandemic period

- The  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 Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) at their homes during the first phases of nationwide lockdown so that they
- i. can train within their homes.
- 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, and 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.
- iii. The athletes are being kept in a bio bubble including the coaches and  support  staff  involved  in  their  training.  Also  all  support  staff including coaches, staying inside bio bubble were provided accommodation  at  free  of  cost  and  with  nominal  charges  for boarding at Rs.50/- per person per day.
- iv. International exposures for Indian athletes have already resumed in all sports where the international calendar has commenced.
- Indian teams have been travelling for international exposures post unlock as per the international calendar published, and following the  guidelines  as  laid  down  by  the  organisers/international  body and  the  respective  host  country/city.  The  above  exposures  are funded under the Assistance to National Sports Federation (NSF) Scheme (Annual Calendar for Training and Competition) or in other
- v. cases under Target Olympic Podium Scheme.
- vi. Athletes  &  Coach  Education  Programme and Coach Development Programme  (ACEP/  CDP)  were  conducted and lectures were delivered by the Experts in different sports discipline.
- vii. The  athletes  of  National  Centre  of  Excellences  (NCOEs)  who resumed training on resumption of training were provided air ticket by SAI from their home town to the NCOE and those living in 500 km radius were provided AC-3 tier train ticket.
- viii. National  Coaching  Camps  were  resumed  for  the  2021  Olympic bound athletes.  The  SOP  formulated  was  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  was  allowed  to  meet  or  interact  with  the  athletes  at  the National camps.