(a) whether any steps are being taken to attract more and more young people to take up sports as profession by assuring them financial security; and
(b) if so, the details thereof?
(a) whether any steps are being taken to attract more and more young people to take up sports as profession by assuring them financial security; and
(b) if so, the details thereof?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS (SHRI VIJAY GOEL)
(a) & (b): With a view to attract more and more young people to take up sports as a profession, Government of India are implementing the following incentive schemes:
(i) Special Awards to Winners in International Sports Events and Their Coaches: Under the scheme of Special Awards to Winners in International Sports Events and Their Coaches cash awards are given for winning medals in International Sports Events in the Olympics, Asian Games and Commonwealth Games disciplines and Chess where the competition is fierce and the players enter into the fray with a burning desire to excel.
(ii) Sports Fund for Pension to Meritorious Sportspersons: Under the scheme of Sports Fund for Pension to Meritorious Sportspersons, Government provides life pension @ Rs.2,500/- p.m. for winning medal in Olympics and gold medals in World Cup/World Championship and @ Rs.2,000/- p.m for winning silver and bronze medals in World Cup/World Championship in Olympic and Asian Games disciplines and gold medals in Asian and Commonwealth Games.
(iii) National Welfare Fund for Sportspersons : Under the scheme of National Welfare Fund for Sportsperons, pension of upto Rs.2,500/- p.m and lump-sum financial assistance of upto Rs.40,000/- for medical treatment are given to outstanding sportspersons, living in indigent circumstances.
(iv) The National Sports Development Fund scheme has been created by the Central Government with a view to mobilising resource from the Government as well as non- governmental source, including the private/ corporate sector and non-resident Indians, for the promotion of sports and games in the country. The private sector is being motivated to sponsor sportspersons, sports disciplines and teams so that more and more financial security is brought in the sphere of sports.