Lok Sabha Question No. 1015 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-02
Subject: Preparing Athletes for Global Competitions
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: Shri Dulu Mahato, Shri Bidyut Baran Mahato, Shri Lumbaram Choudhary

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS (DEPARTMENT OF SPORTS)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 1015

TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.12.2024

Preparing Athletes for Global Competitions

†1015. SHRI LUMBA RAM: SHRI DULU MAHATO: SHRI BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO:

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

- (a)  the  details  of  various  steps  being  taken  by  the  Government  to provide  financial  support,  training  and  international  exposure  to prepare athletes for global competitions;
- (b) whether the Government proposes to set up a national level sports academy to provide specialized training in specific sports, if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  the  number  of  National  Centers  of  Excellence  built  by  the Government in the country at present; and
- (d)  whether  the  Government  is  contemplating  to  increase  their number so that necessary sports facilities can be provided to the players and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) The  primary  responsibility  of  promotion  and  development  of specific sports disciplines is that of the concerned NSF. Government of India is providing financial assistance to the recognized National Sports  Federations  (NSFs)  for  preparation  and  participation  of  the Indian Athletes / Teams.

Preparation  for  International  events  is  an  ongoing  and  continuous process. Plans/Proposals of the NSFs relating to training, competitive exposure, Coaches and support personnel including foreign coaches, for  preparing  sportspersons/teams  for  the  international  sporting events  are  deliberated  and  finalized  in  the  Annual  Calendar  for Training and Competition (ACTC) meetings. The Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports supports the Indian sportspersons/teams through various schemes, such as Scheme of Assistance  to  National  Sports  Federations  and  Target  Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS). The Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, the NSFs, including the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), and the Sports Authority of India (SAI) are working in close coordination for providing best  facilities,  training,  equipment  support  as  also  a  wholesome nutritious diet required for preparation of the teams and sportspersons  for the forthcoming  international sports events, including Olympics. Under  the  TOPS,  the  Government  extends  all  requisite  support  to probable  athletes  identified  for  the  major  international  events, including  foreign  training,  international  competition,  equipment, services  of  support  staff/personnel  like  Physical  Trainer,  Sports Psychologist,  Mental  Trainer  and  Physiotherapist  besides  out  of pocket allowance of Rs.50,000/- per month to the Core Group athletes and Rs.25,000/- per month to the Development Group athletes. (b) No Sir. However, at present under the Khelo India Scheme, 301 Khelo India Accredited Academies are being supported across the country. (c) At  present,  22  National  Centres  of  Excellence  (NCOEs)  are functional across the country under Sports Authority of India. (d) Currently, there is no proposal under consideration to increase

- the number of National Centres of Excellence (NCOEs).

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