The number of sportspersons sent abroad for training during last 3 years by the Government of India under various schemes are as under:
| S.No. | Name of the Scheme | No. of Sportspersons sent abroad for training during | ||
| 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | ||
| 1. | Scheme Relating to Talent Search & Training | 25 | 20 | 41 |
| 2. | National Sports Development Fund | 04 | 07 | 02 |
The Government also gives financial assistance to National Sports Federations (NSFs) under the ‘Scheme for Assistance to National Sports Federations’ for various purposes including training and participation in international sports events abroad. However no separate data is maintained in respect of sportspersons sent for training under this scheme.
The selection criteria for assistance for training abroad under above noted schemes are as under:
(i) Scheme Relating to Talent Search & Training: Under this scheme, the financial assistance is given only to promising sportspersons who have equaled or excelled the existing national record or are Gold Medalists of last National Championship or are Medalists of Asian/ Commonwealth/Afro-Asian/Olympic Games/World Championship in the relevant category i.e. Senior/Junior/Sub-junior in different sports disciplines.
(ii) National Sports Development Fund (NSDF): The Executive Committee of NSDF considers the proposals of exceptionally talented sportspersons who are medal prospects in major international events.
(iii) Assistance to National Sports Federations: Under this scheme, the sportspersons to be sent abroad for training and participation in international events are selected by the National Sport Federation concerned on the basis of national ranking, performance at national level/during selection trials.
The percentage of total budget spent on coaching/training of sportspersons/teams during the last 3 years is as under:
| Year | 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 |
| Percentage of sports budget spent on coaching/training of sportspersons/teams | 19.18 | 21.12 | 26.08 |
This information was given in the Lok Sabha today by Shri Mani Shankar Aiyar, Minister of Panchayati Raj, Youth Affairs and Sports and Development of North Eastern Region in a written reply to a question by Shri G.M.Siddeswara.
SRK/ska