Lok Sabha Question No. 1295 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-08
Subject: Lack of Professionalism in National Sport Federation
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: Shri Naveen Jindal

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 1295 TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.12.2025

Lack of Professionalism in National Sport Federation

## 1295. SHRI NAVEEN JINDAL:

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

- (a) whether the Government is addressing the issue of factionalism and  lack  of  professionalism  within  National  Sports  Federations,  if so, the details thereof;
- (b)  the  details  of  the  efforts  being  made  by  the  Government  to identify and nurture sports talent at the grassroots levels, particularly in rural and tribal areas;
- (c) the manner in which the Government is promoting Public-Private Partnerships in the sports sector;
- (d) whether it is a fact that the retired sportspersons face difficulties  in  receiving  welfare  and  pension  benefits  after  their retirement and the steps taken by the Government to ensure timely disbursal of life time pension benefits along with the details of the measures to integrate retired athletes as coaches and mentors in the sports ecosystem; and
- (e) the details of the progress made under the Retired Sportsperson Empowered Training (RESET) Programme and the manner in which the programme is helping retired athletes transition to new careers?

## THE MINISTER OF YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS

## ANSWER (DR. MANSUKH MANDAVIYA)

- (a) National Sports Federations (NSFs) are voluntary bodies registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 / Trusts Act / Companies Act. The Government recognizes one federation each for

a  particular  sport  as  per  the  procedure  laid  down  in  the  National Sports Development Code of India, 2011 (Sports Code). The Sports Code  requires  the  NSFs  to  follow  healthy  management  practices, accountability,  transparency,  impartial  and  transparent  selection procedures,  age  and  tenure  restrictions  of  office  bearers,  basic universal principles of good governance in sports, proper accounting procedures, prevention of age fraud & sexual harassment  of  women,  and  holding  of  elections  as  per  model election guidelines.

Recently,  the  National  Sports  Governance  Act,  2025  has  been enacted to provide, inter alia, for the resolution of sports grievances and sports disputes in a unified, equitable and effective manner and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

- (b) Sports Authority of India (SAI) under Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports is implementing the following Sports Promotional Schemes across the country including tribal youth to identify talented sportspersons  at  grassroots  levels  in  the  various  age  groups  and nurture them to excel at national and international levels:
- National Centres of Excellence (NCOE)
- SAI Training Centre (STC)
- Extension Centre of STC
- National Sports Talent Contest (NSTC)
- (its Sub-Schemes - Regular Schools, IGMA & Akharas)

Further, under the Scheme  of Assistance to NSFs, financial assistance  is  provided  to  the  recognized  NSFs  for  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.  It  has  been  provisioned  that  at  least  20%  of  their annual  budget  is  earmarked  for  grassroots  development  through their affiliate units to ensure development of bench strength, by the NSFs.

- (c) The Government is actively promoting Public-Private Partnerships  (PPP)  in  the  sports  sector  with  a  view  to  mobilising additional financial and technical resources for the holistic development of sports in the country. The Government encourages

corporate entities to channelize their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)  funds  into the  sports  sector  through  the National Sports Development Fund (NSDF) for supporting infrastructure, training, and allied services.

Corporates are encouraged to enter into Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) committing CSR funds for various developmental activities, including talent identification programmes, participation of athletes in international competitions, procurement of sports equipment, engagement of support personnel, and human resource development in sports.

Further, NSFs receive sponsorship support from corporate partners and public-sector entitles towards hosting international competitions in India.

- (d) Under  the  Scheme  of  Sports  Fund  for  Pension  to  Meritorious Sportspersons, the  applications  are  received  through  online  mode through https://dbtyas-sports.gov.in/. The monthly pension is disbursed through LIC. The amount of pension ranges from Rs.12,000  to  Rs.20,000/-  depending  on  the  achievement  of  the sportspersons at international level.
- (e) The Ministry launched the Retired Sportsperson Empowerment Training  (RESET)  program  on  August  29,  2024,  which  aims  to facilitate career development for retired athletes. This program will provide specialized education for their academic growth of retired athletes, along with internships, and provide them with the necessary  knowledge  and  skills  to  transition  to  a  suitable  career option.

The RESET program provides retired athletes with opportunities to hone  their  skills  through  internships  with  sports  organizations, sports  competitions/training  camps,  and  leagues;  and  educational institutions  under  the  Ministry's  guidance  and  support  to  retired athletes by providing placement assistance, business guidance and more.  The  1st  batch  of  courses  under  RESET  programme  was conducted  at  Lakshmibai  National  Institute  of  Physical  Education (LNIPE), Gwalior from 4th October, 2024 to 7th December, 2024.

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