Lok Sabha Question No. 4322 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-03-29
Subject: Performance of Players
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: Mitesh Rameshbhai (Bakabhai) Patel, Shardaben Anilbhai Patel

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4322 TO BE ANSWERD ON 29.03.2022

## Performance of Players

## †4322. SHRI MITESH RAMESHBHAI PATEL (BAKABHAI): SHRIMATI SHARDABEN ANILBHAI PATEL:

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

- (a) the details of the steps taken by the Government to improve the performance of players in the country during the last five years; and
- (b) the steps taken by the Government to improve the performance of the country at international level as compared to other countries?

## THE MINISTER OF YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS

## ANSWER [SHRI ANURAG SINGH THAKUR]

(a) & (b): Sportspersons preparing for participation in international sports events are continuously being assisted for their training and competitive  exposures  within  the  country  and  abroad  through  the Annual Calendar of Training & Competitions (ACTC),  funded under the  Scheme  of  Assistance  to  National  Sports  Federations  (NSFs). Further,  the  Target  Olympic  Podium  Scheme  (TOPS)    is  being implemented since 2014 for meeting the requirements of customized training of  the athletes with  medal prospects  in mega sports events such as the Olympics, Asian Games and Commonwealth Games, with a view to improve the performance of sportspersons  /  teams  to excel in their performances  in  the international  sporting  events.    Besides  the  continuous  regular support being provided to the athletes, the Ministry of Youth Affairs &  Sports  and  the  Sports  Authority  of  India  (SAI),  an  autonomous body under the administrative control of the Ministry, have taken a number of decisions and initiatives during the last 5 years, gist of which is given below:

- (i) Constitution of a High Level Committee, comprising of various stakeholders under the Chairmanship of Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports to oversee/support/coordinate and strategize the preparation for the 2020 & 2024 Olympics.
- (ii) Establishment  of NCOEs  by  SAI  with  a  view  to impart specialized training to promising athletes by providing state-of-theart  infrastructure  and  playing  facilities,  sports  science  backup, individualized  diet  prescribed  by  trained  nutritionists  and  overall supervision under the best coaches, qualified support staff and High Performance  Directors.    At  present,  23  SAI  Centres  across  the country,  have  been  designated  as  NCOEs  to  impart  specialized training to promising athletes in 24 sports disciplines.
- (iii)      Grant  of  Out  of  Pocket  Allowance  (OPA)  of  Rs.  50,000/-  per month to the elite athletes included in the  TOPS since September 2017,  which  is  in  addition  to  the  support  already  provided  for customised training to the elite athletes.
- (iv) Inclusion of a developmental group in TOPS for young athletes identified  for  India's  Olympic  preparations  for  2024  and  beyond. Under the TOPS Development Group, each athlete receives OPA of Rs.  25,000/-  per  month  and  customized  training  support  at a National Centre of Excellence (NCOE). To ensure a focused approach  in  the    Olympic  preparation,  14  sport  disciplines  viz. Archery,  Athletics,  Badminton,  Boxing,  Cycling,  Fencing,  Hockey, Judo,  Shooting,  Swimming,  Table  Tennis,  Wrestling,  Weightlifting and Rowing have been identified as priority disciplines for excellence at Olympics 2024 and 2028,  and at the other upcoming International Competitions.
- (v) Establishment  of  a  Quick  Response  Injury  and  Management Rehabilitation Cell under the Mission Olympic Cell (MOC), comprising  of  a  core  group  of  physicians,  physiotherapists,  and musculoskeletal experts to monitor the injury prevention/rehabilitation protocols of Olympic-bound athletes.

(vi) Sensitising and educating athletes on life skills, covering topics such as dealing with pressures, communication, media interaction and sports science.

- (vii)  Creation of a High Performance network of coaches, academies and sports science specialists in India, and globally to provide  better  technical  support  to  the  athletes  in  preparation  for the Olympic Games.

(viii)  Use of Software and Technology -To record training, performance, injury and other parameters for the purpose of athlete monitoring, research and analysis and scientific interventions.

- (ix)  Under the vertical 'Utilization and Creation of Sports Infrastructure' of the Khelo India Scheme, 282 sports infrastructure projects worth Rs. 2328.39 crore have been sanctioned during the last five years.
- (x) Identification and nurturing of sporting talent under the vertical 'Talent Search  and  Development'  of the 'Khelo India Scheme'  to  attain  highest  levels  of  achievement  at  international levels.  As  of  now,  2623  Khelo  India  Athletes  (KIAs)  have  been selected in 21 sports disciplines including Para Sports. For imparting  high  quality  training  to  these  selected  athletes,  247 Academies  have  been  accredited  across  the  country  (both  SAI  & Non-SAI) under the 'Support to National/Regional/State Sports Academies'  vertical  of  the  Scheme.  A  financial  assistance  @  Rs. 6,28,400 (including Rs. 1,20,000 as OPA) per annum per athlete is being provided to these academies.
- (xi) Setting up of State-Level Khelo India Centre (SLKIC) under the Khelo India Scheme. One existing sports facility is being identified for upgrading to international standards, and to provide state-of-theart  facilities  for  the  training  of  the  athletes.    For  such  centres, financial  support  in  terms  of  manpower,  sports  equipment,  sports science  support,  etc.  is  provided  after  conducting  a  viability  gap analysis. At present, under this vertical, 28 centers in 27 States/UTs administration have been approved as Khelo India State Centres of Excellence (KISCE).
- (xii) Enhancement  in  the  amount  of  award  money  for    the  Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award from Rs. 7.5 lakh to Rs. 25 lakh, for

the Arjuna Award and the  Dronacharya (Lifetime) Award from Rs. 5 lakh to Rs. 15 lakh, for the  Dronacharya (Regular) Award and the Dhyanchand Award from Rs. 5 lakh to Rs. 10 lakh.

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