THE MINISTER OF YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS [SHRI ANURAG SINGH THAKUR]
(a) Government provides financial assistance to the Nationals Sports Federations of Paralympic Committee of India (PCI), All India Sports Council for Deaf (AISCD), Special Olympic Bharat (SOB) and Cerebral Palsy Sports Federation of India (CPSFI) towards trainingof specially abled athletes for their participation in international events. The athletes selected for international competitions are provided with all requisite facilities for their preparations including wholesome 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. Under Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), talented Athletes are being selected and provided Financial Assistance like Out of Pocket Allowances, equipment support, coaches etc. Athletes are being retained in the TOPS based on the regular assessment of their performance. A total of 35 Para Athletes are being supported under TOPSScheme.
(b) &(c) Yes. In addition to supporting the Special Athletes in their participation in the Special Olympic Games, the Government extends support in other international games as well. Sports Authority of India has opened the regional sports centres of excellence providing superior quality sports experiences to the youth with disabilities. A Special Olympics Bharat National Coaching Camp was held in Floorball at the SAI centre ofexcellence in Sonipat wherein the special athletes availed all the facilities for their sportstraining.
(d) Yes, to promote sports among the differently abled sportspersons, Sports Authority of India has established a Para Centre under SAI’s National Centre of Excellence (NCOE) Scheme at SAIRegionalCentre,Gandhinagar.Thecenterisoperationalinthe
disciplines of Athletics, Swimming, Powerlifting & Table Tennis. 46 para-athletes are undergoing training under qualified coaches. All the SAI Stadiums and training centres have been made disabled- friendly and up-gradation of the same is carried out from time to time to ensure comfort of differently-abled athletes. Under the component “Promotion of Inclusiveness through Sports” of Khelo India Scheme, sports infrastructure and training centers are created so as to ensure effective participation of persons with disabilities. Daulatabad stadium, Gurugram, has been assigned to carry out the Special Olympics sports and inclusive activations for the next 20 years.
(e) Yes. Recruitment of meritorious sportspersons including specially-abled is done as per Government Guidelines. Further in the Sports Authority of India, 05 posts at Assistant Coach Grade and 08 posts at Coach grade are reserved for Paralympians for regular appointments. Currently, 04 Assistant Coaches, 01 Coach, 02 Senior Coach and 01 Chief Coach in the category of Paralympian (Specially- abled) are already working in the Sports Authority of India. More chances are given to the recruitment opportunities of specially- abled sports persons in almost all States. Recently, Postal Department has recruited 06 Deaf Sports persons in Kerala and 06 in TamilNadu.
**********
Download PDF Files
