Lok Sabha Question No. 2140 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-08-05
Subject: Financial Support to Athletes
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: Shri Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer, Shri Vijay Kumar Dubey

## Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports

## Government of India Department of Sports

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO - 2140 TO BE ANSWERED ON- 05.08.2024

## Financial Support to Athletes

2140 Shri Vijay Kumar Dubey: Shri Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer:

Will the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  financially  supported  the  athletes  to pursue their career in sports;
- (b) if so, the steps taken by the Government for the athletes during their career and post-career support;
- (c) whether the Government has any ongoing or proposed schemes to provide direct financial support to athletes participating in various national and international events; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER FOR YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS (DR. MANSUKH MANDAVIYA)

- (a)  to  (d):  Yes  Sir.  Government  is  encouraging  athletes  to  pursue sports  as  a  career  by  providing  various  direct/indirect  financial support through various schemes/programmes as under:
- I. Under the component 'Khelo India Centres & Sports Academies' of Khelo India Scheme the talent identified under Khelo  India  Scheme  are  given  options  to  join  the  accredited Khelo India academies and also provided financial assistance @
- Rs.  6.28  Lacs  per  annum  [including  Rs  1.20  Lacs  as  Out  of Pocket Allowance (OPA)] towards training expenses, coaching, competitions exposure, education, equipment support, scientific support and etc. Also, under the Khelo India Centre vertical of Khelo India Scheme, Past Champion Athletes (PCAs) are hired as coaches/mentors for young athletes in Khelo India Centres (KICs) who train these athletes as well as run the KIC in an autonomous manner or with the support of the State/UT Sports Department. As of now 918 PCAs have been hired in 1059 Khelo India Centres across 36 States/UTs.
- II. Under the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), Government provides assistance to India's top athletes for their preparations  for  Olympic  and  Paralympic  Games.  Selected athletes  are  supported  with  funding  from  National  Sports Development  Fund  (NSDF)  for  customized  training  and  other support not available under normal schemes of the Ministry. 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 the sportsperson, which is considered and approved by Mission Olympic Cell (MOC), is met under  TOPS.  At  present,  174  individual  athletes  &  2  hockey teams  (M&  W)  as  core  group  have  been  selected  under  the scheme. Also, Under Development Group, to ensure a focused approach in India's Olympic preparation the talent identification of 134 best sporting talent has been completed.  TOPS Development Group athlete are receiving OPA of Rs. 25,000/-
- III. Under the scheme of Assistance to National Sports Federations (ANSF)  financial  assistance  are  given  to  National  Sports Federations (NSFs) for the training of athletes, which includes all requisite support for training, participation in International events, conduct of National Championships, conduct of International  tournaments  in  India,  engagement  of  Foreign Coaches/support staff, scientific & medical support etc.
- IV. Under the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay National Welfare Fund for  Sportspersons  (PDUNWFS)  Scheme,  Government  provides direct financial assistance (upto Rs.2.50 lakh) to sportspersons living  in  indigent  circumstances  for  training,  procurement  for sports  equipment,  participation  in  national  and  international sports events, etc.
- V. Government  provides  financial  support  to  the  sportspersons after their retirement from active sports through the scheme of Pension  to  Meritorious  Sportspersons,  with  the  objective  of providing  an  assured  monthly  income  through  annuity  for outstanding sportspersons. Under the existing scheme, monthly pension ranging from Rs. 12,000/- to Rs. 20,000/- is provided to eligible ex-sportspersons.
- VI. Under  the  scheme  of  Cash  Awards  to  Medal  Winners  in International  Sports  Events  and  their  Coaches,  Government provides cash award to outstanding sportspersons to encourage and motivate them for higher achievements and to act as inspiring role models for attracting the younger generation to take up sports. Under this scheme, cash award ranging  from  Rs.  20,000/-  to  Rs.75,00,000/-  are  granted  to sportsperson who have won medals at international events.
- VII. Apart  from  the  above  schemes,  in  order  to  honour  athletes/ sportspersons winning medals in international events, Government also confers the National Sports Awards every year under various categories like  Major  Dhyan  Chand  Khel  Ratna Award,  Arjuna  Award,  Dronacharya  Award  and  Dhyan  Chand Award.
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