Lok Sabha Question No. 3205 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-08-08
Subject: Pensions to Sportspersons
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: Karti P. Chidambaram

## Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports

## Government of India Department of Sports

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3205 TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.08.2023

## Pensions to Sportspersons

3205. SHRI KARTI P. CHIDAMBARAM:

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

- (a) the details of facilities provided by the Government to sportspersons after retirement;
- (b) whether the Government provides adequate pensions to sportspersons after retirement and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government provides medical facilities and adequate medical insurance to sportspersons after retirement and if so, the details thereof;
- (d)  whether  the  Government  has  provisions  for  employment  to sportspersons after retirement and if so, the details thereof;
- (e) the details of the initiatives taken by the Government to provide housing or accommodation  facilities to retired sportspersons, particularly those who have represented the country at the international level; and
- (f)  the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  encourage  corporate sponsorships or endorsements for retired sportspersons to enhance their financial stability and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS [SHRI ANURAG SINGH THAKUR]

(a) and (b):  The Government is implementing the 'Scheme of Sports Fund  for  Pension  to  Meritorious  Sportspersons'  which  provides additional financial security to sportspersons, after their retirement from an active sports career in the form of life-time pension ranging from  Rs.  12,000/-  to  Rs.  20,000/-  per  month  for  winning  medals  in Olympic Games, Paralympic Games, World Cup, World Championships, Asian Games, Para Asian Games and Commonwealth Games. (c): Financial assistance upto Rs. 10.00 Lakh for medical treatment to sportspersons or family members is provided under the scheme of 'Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay National Welfare Fund for Sportspersons' (PDUNWFS). (d):  The Sports Authority of India (SAI), an autonomous organization under Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has a separate cadre of coaches. All the coaches recruited in SAI are sportspersons. Out of 3560  sanctioned  posts,  1524  are  sportspersons  by  virtue  of  their engagement as coaches. Out of 1524 Coaches, 5% posts are reserved for Olympians and 1% for Paralympians at the entry cadre. Also, 3% posts are reserved for Medal Winning Olympians or for those with representation in two Olympic Games and 2% posts are reserved for medal winning Paralympians in the grade of Coach (Level-10). As a part of Government's vision to strengthen the sports ecosystem in  the  country  at  the  grass  root  level,  a  low-cost,  effective  Sports training mechanism has been developed wherein the past 'Champion Athlete'  become  coaches  and  mentors  at  Khelo  India  Centres.  At present, 635 past champion Athletes have been engaged in various Khelo India Centres across the country. (e) and (f): There is no such provision under the Scheme of 'Sports Fund for Pension to Meritorious Sportsperson'.

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