Lok Sabha Question No. 437 (STARRED), answered on 2026-03-23
Subject: Financial Assistance for Athletes from Ladakh
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: Shri Mohmad Haneefa

## Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports

## Government of India Department of Sports

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *437 TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.03.2026

## Financial Assistance for Athletes from Ladakh

## *437.     SHRI MOHMAD HANEEFA:

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

- (a)  whether  the  Government  is  aware  that  a  large  number  of  talented young  athletes  from  Ladakh  belong  to  economically  underprivileged families  and  are  unable  to  afford  travel  and accommodation  costs  for attending  training  camps  and  competitions  outside  the  region  and  if so, the details thereof;
- (b)  whether  the  Government  has  any  existing  scheme  to  provide  travel allowance, boarding and lodging facilities,  nutritional  support  and  basic health insurance to such athletes and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government proposes to introduce a dedicated financial assistance scheme, specifically for  talented athletes  from economically weaker backgrounds in remote and high-altitude regions such as Ladakh; and
- (d) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to ensure that lack of financial resources does not prevent deserving athletes from Ladakh for participating  in  national-level  training  and competitions  and  sporting opportunities are determined by merit rather than economic capacity?

## ANSWER

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

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

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STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (a) to (d) OF LOK SABHA STARRED  QUESTION  NO.  *437  TO  BE  ANSWERED  ON  23.03.2026 REGARDING  'FINANCIAL  ASSISTANCE  FOR  ATHLETES  FROM  LADAKH' ASKED BY SHRI MOHMAD HANEEFA, HON'BLE MEMBER OF LOK SABHA

(a) to (d): The Government is running various sports promotional schemes across  the  country,  including  the  UT  of  Ladakh,  to  support  sporting ecosystem and athletes in the country. The details of the schemes are available in  the  public  domain  on  the  website  of  the  Ministry at https://yas.nic.in/.  The existing schemes of the Sports Authority of India (SAI) Scheme already provide comprehensive support to talented athletes across the country, including those from such regions.

Under the SAI Training Centre (STC) scheme, assistance is provided to athletes  in  terms  of  boarding  and  lodging,  sports  kits,  competition exposure,  educational  expenses,  as  well  as  medical  and  insurance coverage, across the country including the UT of Ladakh. A total of 55 athletes are currently training at STC Kargil on residential basis to excel at national and international level. Special travelling entitlement is also provided  to  athletes  of  the  UT  of  Ladakh  for  participation  in  sporting competitions.

Further, the Khelo India Scheme aims to be inclusive and accessible to all eligible athletes, irrespective of their socio-economic background. To address  the  distinct  geographical  and  economic  challenges  in  Ladakh, the  Government  has  given  special  focus  to  the  region  by  easing  the standard  provision  of  one  Khelo  India  Centre  (KIC)  per  district  to  five KICs  per  district.  This  approach  ensures  that  grassroots  training  is available  within  local  areas,  minimizing  the  need  for  travel  during  the early stages of development. There are 03 KICs in Ladakh with a total of 108 athletes training in Table Tennis, Archery, Athletics, Football and Ice Hockey.

Under the Scheme of Assistance to NSFs, the Ministry provides financial assistance  to  recognized  National  Sports  Federations  (NSFs)  towards training of athletes which  includes  all requisite facilities for their preparations including nutritious diet,  food  supplements,  equipment support, state-of-the-art infrastructure, lodging, travelling facilities, services of reputed Indian and Foreign Coaches/supporting staff,

scientific & medical support, sports kit, etc. besides financial assistance for their training abroad and participation in international competitions in India  and  abroad.  Furthermore,  the  Government  provides  a  structured pathway to elite levels, with high-performing athletes progressing to the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS).

To support the talented athletes from economically weaker backgrounds, including  those  from  Ladakh,  the Government  is  administering  the Scheme  of  Pandit  Deendayal  Upadhyay  National  Welfare  Program  for Sportspersons  with  the  objective  of  providing  financial  assistance  to outstanding sportspersons/family members living in indigent circumstances  for  various  purposes  like  ameliorate  condition,  medical treatm ent,  injuries,  procurement  of  sports  equipment's  etc.  Under  the scheme, financial assistance upto Rs 2.5 lakhs is provided for training, procurement of equipment and, participation in national and International sports events.

Further, to ensure merit-driven opportunities, the Government implements a  transparent  and  systematic  scouting  process  implemented  by  Talent Identification and Development Committee (TIDC). Identified athletes are inducted  as  Khelo  India  Athletes  (KIAs).  Each  identified  KIA  receives financial  assistance  of  ₹6.28  lakh  per  annum.  This  covers  high -quality coaching,  sports  science  support,  specialized  diet,  equipment,  lodging, and medical insurance. It also includes a monthly Out-of-Pocket Allowance  (OPA)  of  ₹10,000  provi ded  directly  to  the  athlete  to  ensure they can focus on training.

Additionally, 06 editions of Khelo India  Winter  Games  have  been organised in Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh to promote winter and highaltitude sports, with over 5200 athlete participation. These games serve as one of the primary sources for talent identification to be inducted as Khelo India Athletes.

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