Lok Sabha Question No. 339 (STARRED), answered on 2025-03-24
Subject: Welfare Schemes for Sportspersons
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: Shri Janardan Singh Sigriwal

## Government of India Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports Department of Sports

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 339 ANSWERED ON 24.03.2025

Welfare Schemes for Sportspersons

*339. Shri Janardan Singh Sigriwal:

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

- (a) whether the Government proposes to formulate any scheme for the welfare of Indian sportspersons of National and International level;
- (b) if so, the details thereof along with the welfare schemes formulated for the purpose; and
- (c) the quantum of funds spent for the welfare schemes/programmes meant for sportspersons of said level during the last three years and the current year?

ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS [DR. MANSUKH MANDAVIYA]

- (a) to (c): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (c) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 339 TO BE ANSWERED ON 24/03/2025 REGARDING  'WELFARE  SCHEMES  FOR  SPORTSPERSONS'  BY  SHRI JANARDAN SINGH SIGRIWAL, HON'BLE MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT

- (a) &  (b):  Sir,  'Sports'  being  a  State  subject,  the  responsibility  for promotion and development of sports, including welfare of sportspersons,  rests primarily with the respective State/Union Territory (UT) Governments. However, the Union Government (Ministry  of  Youth  Affairs  and  Sports)  supplements  their  efforts through its various welfare schemes/programmes, which implemented across the country, namely,
- (i) 'Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay National Welfare Program for Sportspersons'  which  provides  suitable  financial  assistance  ranging from ₹2 lakhs to ₹10 lakhs to the sportspersons / coaches and their dependent family members living in indigent conditions, for treatment of injury during training and competitions, welfare of the sportspersons, procurement of sports equipment and participation in events etc.
- (ii)  'Scheme  of  Sports  Fund  for  Pension  to  Meritorious  Sportspersons' provides additional financial security to sportspersons post retirement from active sports career in the form of life-time pension ranging from ₹12,000/- to ₹20,000/- per month. The sportspersons, who are retired from an active sports career and won medals in Olympic Games, Paralympic Games, World Cup, World Championships, Asian Games, Para Asian Games and Commonwealth Games, are eligible for life-time pension under the scheme.
- (iii) The  Ministry  has  launched  the  Retired  Sportsperson  Empowerment Training (RESET) Programme on 29.08.2024, which aims at facilitating retired athletes'  career  development  by  providing  them  tailor-made  education  for their academic enhancement supplemented with internship and empowering them  with  the  necessary  knowledge  and  skills  for  their  transition  into  a suitable career option. The RESET Programme also aims at addressing the existing human resource gap in the sports sector.

The details of above said schemes/programmes are available at website of

Department of Sports, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.

- (c) Details of funds spent for Welfare Schemes/Programmes meant for sportspersons are as under: -

|             | Name of the Scheme                                             | Expenditure                | Expenditure   |
|-------------|----------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------|---------------|
| 1.          | Scheme of Sports Fund for Pension to Meritorious Sportspersons | Financial Year             | Amount (In ₹) |
|             |                                                                | 2021-22                    | 6.70 Cr       |
|             |                                                                | 2022-23                    | 4.70 Cr       |
|             |                                                                | 2023-24                    | 5.54 Cr       |
|             |                                                                | 2024-25 (Up to 21.03.2025) | 3.83 Cr       |
| 2.          | Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay                                      | 2021-22                    | 1.57 Cr       |
|             | National Welfare Program for                                   | 2022-23                    | 1.07 Cr       |
|             | Sportspersons                                                  | 2023-24                    | 1.07 Cr       |
|             |                                                                | 2024-25 (Up to 21.03.2025) | 0.65 Cr       |
| Grand Total | Grand Total                                                    | Grand Total                | 25.13Cr       |

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