Lok Sabha Question No. 2262 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-12-20
Subject: Classifying of Para-athletes
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: Anubhav Mohanty

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS (DEPARTMENT OF SPORTS) LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2262 ANSWERED ON 20/12/2022

Classifying of Para-athletes

## 2262.SHRI ANUBHAV MOHANTY:

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

- (a)  the  details  of  the  number  of  national  and  international  certified classifiers  who  have  been  trained  to  classify  para-athletes  for  their intellectual, physical and vision impairment;
- (b)  whether there is a lack of qualified classifiers, both national and international in the country;
- (c) if so, the steps taken by the Government to increase the number of national and international classifiers in the country;
- (d)  whether  the  Government  has  established  a  robust  education system that prepares international classifiers in the country and if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the details of the kind of support extended by the Government to para-athletes when they go abroad for getting classified?

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

- (a)  The number of national and international certified classifiers who have  been  trained  to  classify  para-athletes  for  their  intellectual, physical and vision impairment are as under:
- (b)   Yes Sir, there is a lack of qualified classifiers, both International and national, in the country.
- (c) & (d): The first International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Educational Course for certification of classifiers, coaches and technical officials was organized at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) Centre, Gandhinagar, in December 2017 by the Paralympic Committee of  India  (PCI),  which  is  the  recognized  National  Sports  Federation (NSF) for para sports, with the support of the Ministry and the SAI.

|   S. No. | Discipline and Level of Classifiers                                 | No. of Classifiers   |
|----------|---------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------|
|        1 | Para Athletics - Physical Impairment - National Classifiers         | 7                    |
|        2 | Para Athletics - Intellectual Impairment - International Classifier | 1                    |
|        3 | Swimming - National                                                 | Para Classifier 1    |
|        4 | Para Swimming - International Classifier                            | 1                    |
|        5 | Para Shooting - National                                            | Classifier 1         |
|        6 | Para Badminton                                                      | 3                    |

The Ministry under Human Resources Development in Sports Scheme provides assistance to the National Sports Federations, including the PCI, towards coach development/ classifiers.

- (e)    The  PCI,  being  the  recognized  NSF  for  para  sports,  selects  the players,  which  includes  classified  and  non-classified  para  athletes based  on  Minimum  Qualifying  Standards  (MQS)  for  participation  in international events. During some  of  these international events, international classification is also done. A list of international sports events in which Indian para-athletes participate and get classified is approved as part of the Annual Calendar for Training & Competitions (ACTC) in consultation with PCI. International sports events included in  ACTC are supported under the Ministry's Scheme of Assistance to NSFs.

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