Lok Sabha Question No. 4395 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-28
Subject: Financial Assistance to Talented Sportspersons
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: Vivek Narayan Shejwalkar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS (DEPARTMENT OF SPORTS)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4395 TO BE ANSWERED ON 28.03.2023

Financial Assistance To Talented Sportspersons

†4395. SHRI VIVEK NARAYAN SHEJWALKAR:

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

- (a)  whether  the  Government  provides  financial  assistance  to  talented sportspersons to impart them coaching from international level coaches to upgrade their play at the international level; and
- (b)  the  number  of  sportspersons  benefited  from  the  said  facility  from Madhya Pradesh particularly in Gwalior and Shivpuri districts?

## THE MINISTER OF YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS

## ANSWER (SHRI ANURAG SINGH THAKUR)

- (a):  Yes,  Sir.  Under  the  Scheme  of  Assistance  to  National  Sports Federations (NSF), the  Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports provides  the recognizedNSFs with financial assistance towards training of Sportspersons/athletes,  which  includes  all  requisite  facilities  for  their preparations  including  wholesome  nutritious  diet,  food  supplements, equipment  support,  state-of-the-art  infrastructure,  lodging,  travelling facilities,  services  of  reputed  Indian  and  Foreign  Coaches/supporting staff,  scientific  &  medical  support,  sports  kit,  OPA  (Out  of  Pocket Allowance)  etc.  besides  financial  assistance  for  their  training  abroad and participation in international competitions in India and abroad.

Under  the  'Scheme  of  Cash  Award  to  the  medal  winners  for  winning medals  in  International  events,  and  their  Coaches',cash  awards  are given  to  incentivize  the  achievements  of  outstanding  sportspersons, based on their meritorious performance in the International Competitions,  such  as  Olympics  Games,  Paralympics  Games,  Asian Games, Para Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, World Cup/

Championships,  Asian  Championships,  Commonwealth  Championships etc.

Further, under the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), the Government provides assistance to India's top athletes in their preparations for Olympic and Paralympic Games. Out of pocket allowance (OPA) is paid Rs. 50,000/- per month to Core group athletes. Apart  from  OPA,  entire  expenditure  for  the  training  plan  submitted  by such  sportsperson,  which  is  considered  and  approved  by  Mission Olympic Cell (MOC), is met under TOPS. Also, under TOPS Development Group, athletes are given OPA of Rs. 25,000/- per month and customized training support at National Centre of Excellence (NCOEs).

Moreover, under theKhelo India scheme, talented athletes selected from various  avenues,  like  Khelo  India  Games,  National  Championships conducted by the respective National Sports Federations (NSFs), etc. in 21 sports disciplines (including para sports) are provided sports scholarship in the form of financial assistance of Rs. 10,000 /- Per month as  Out  of  Pocket  allowance  (OPA).  Additionally,  an  athlete  is  also entitled  for  Rs.  5,00,000/-  per  annum  for  training  purposes,  including funding for coaching/sports science/management, diet charges, lodging charges, kitting, Insurance & Medical expense, if he/she opts to train in an accredited Khelo India academy.

## (b):The  number  of  sportspersons  who  benefited  from  the  said  facility from Madhya Pradesh particularly in Gwalior and Shivpuri districts, is as mentioned below:

|   S.No. | Name of the Athlete   | Discipline      | District       | State                 |
|---------|-----------------------|-----------------|----------------|-----------------------|
|       1 | Shooting              | Khargone        | Madhya Pradesh | AishwaryaPratapTo mar |
|       2 | Shooting              | Khargone        | Bhopal         | Chinki Yadav          |
|       3 | Shooting              | Khargone        | Jabalpur       | Shreya Agrawal        |
|       4 | Badminton             | Dhar            | Madhya Pradesh | PriyanshuRajawat      |
|       5 | Archery               | Jabalpur Mandla | Madhya Pradesh | Amit Kumar            |
|       6 | Archery               | Jabalpur Mandla | Madhya Pradesh | Soniya Thakur         |
|       7 | Para Canoe            | Gwalior         | Madhya Pradesh | Prachi Yadav          |

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