Lok Sabha Question No. 2980 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-08-03
Subject: Participation in Olympics
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: SUPRIYA SADANAND SULE, (SMT.) RATNA DE(NAG), HEENA VIJAYKUMAR GAVIT, M. CHANDRAKASI, JAYAKUMAR JAYAVARDHAN, CHINTAMAN NAVSHA WANAGA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS (DEPARTMENT OF SPORTS) LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2980

TO BE ANSWERED ON 03-08-2016

Participation in Olympics

2980.  SHRIMATI SUPRIYA SULE:

DR. RATNA DE (NAG):

DR. HEENA VIJAY KUMAR GAVIT:

SHRI M. CHANDRAKASI:

DR. J. JAYAVARDHAN:

ADV. CHINTAMAN NAVASHA WANAGA:

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

- (a) whether the participation rate in Olympics from India has improved over the last three years;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  the total sum of money received from sponsors for the event and the share of Indian private and public sector companies in it;
- (d) whether the share of private sector companies has improved in the last five years and if so, the details thereof;
- (e) the names of the Indian private sector companies which have agreed to sponsor this event; and
- (f)  the other steps taken by the Government to improve participation rate in Olympics from India?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE)

FOR YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS (SHRI VIJAY GOEL)

(a) & (b): Yes, Madam. 119 sportspersons have qualified for participation in Rio Olympics, 2016 to be held from 5 th  to 21 st August 2016. This is India's largest ever contingent for Olympic Games. 57 sportspersons qualified for participation in Beijing Olympics 2008 and 81 sportspersons qualified for participation in London Olympics 2012.

(c) & (d): The Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports does not maintain data about the sponsorship given by private sector and public sector companies directly to the sportspersons and sports bodies for preparation and training of the sportspersons for their participation in international event including Rio Olympics 2016.

(e):  Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has informed that sponsors already committed  are  Reliance  Jio  and  Edelweiss  Financial  Services  as  the Principal Sponsors, Amul, Tata Salt and Herbalife as Associate Sponsor, Li Ning and SBJ as apparel sponsors.

(f): Preparation  for  Olympic  Games  is  an  ongoing  process.  Training  and competitive exposure to sportspersons preparing for international sports events  including  Olympic  Games  are  provided  under  the  Scheme  of Assistance  to  National  Sports  Federations  (NSFs)  and  National  Sports Development Fund (NSDF).

Further,  the  Ministry  of  Youth  Affair  &  Sports  has  formulated  a programme namely 'Target Olympic Podium Scheme' (TOP Scheme) within the overall ambit of the National Sports Development Fund (NSDF) with the objective of identifying and supporting potential medal prospects for 2016 and 2020 Olympic Games.

An Elite  Athletes  Identification  Committee has  been  set  up  with  Ms. Anju  Bobby  George,  renowned  athlete  as  its  chairperson,  Shri  Pullella Gopichand and Ms. M C Mary Kom as members among others to evaluate and select potential medal prospects for 2016 and 2020 Olympic Games for support under the Target Olympic Podium (TOP) Scheme. Identified medal prospects  are  being  provided  financial  assistance  for  their  customized training  at  Institutes  having  world  class  facilities  and  other  necessary support under Target Olympic Podium (TOP) Scheme.

Further,  in  order  to  enhance  the  number  of  participants  in  the  next

Tokyo Olympics, the Government has set up a Mission Olympic Cell (MOC) in Sports Authority of India.

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