Question : Promotion of Sports amongst Differently Abled Sportspersons

(a) the details of schemes which are presently in practice to promote sports for differently abled sportspersons in the country and achievement made under such schemes;

(b) the number of district, State and national level competitions organized under the scheme of Sports and Games for disabled till date;

(c) the funds allocated and utilized for the same during the last three years and the current year, year-wise;

(d) whether the differently abled sportspersons have excelled themselves in the national as well as international sports competitions during the last three years and the current year, sports/game-wise;

(e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the action taken by the Government to facilitate adequate sports training and facilities to the differently abled sportspersons in the country; and

(f) whether the Government has any plan to increase access to prosthetics for differently abled sportspersons and if so, the details thereof?

THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS { SHRI KIREN RIJIJU }

(a) Differently abled sportspersons are being assisted and supported under various Schemes of the Ministry and Sports Authority of India (SAI).

Under the Scheme of Assistance to National Sports Federations, identified promising sportspersons/teams including para athletes are provided all
requisite facilities for their preparations including wholesome nutritious diet, food supplements, equipment, state-of-the-art infrastructure, lodging, travelling facilities, services of reputed Indian and Foreign Coaches/supporting staff, scientific &medical support, sports kit, etc. besides financial assistance for their training abroad and participation in International competitions in India and abroad.

Differently abled elite athletes are provided with all requisite infrastructure and facilities for their training and participation in international events.

Netaji Subhas Western Centre, Gandhinagar of Sports Authority of India (SAI) has been identified as the main centre for holding the sports activities pertaining to differently-abled athletes and the Centre is well equipped and differently-abled friendly.

In preparation for participation in various International competitions in different sports disciplines, coaching camps are organized for Para Athletes at SAI Centre in Gandhinagar, SAI Northern Centre, Sonepat and SAI Centre at Bangalore.

The Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) is a flagship program of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports which is an attempt to provide assistance to India’s top athletes including Para athletes. The Scheme supports the athletes so that they can win medals in the Olympics. At present 27 Para Athletes are being supported under TOPS for their customized training for Tokyo Paralympics 2021.

(b) This Ministry is responsible for providing assistance to National level sports bodies for conduct of National championships at sub-junior and senior level and the details of National Championship organised for person with disabilities under the scheme of financial assistance to NSFs is at Annexure – I. This Ministry does not maintain data about district level and State level championships as it is responsibility of the States / Union Territories.

(c) The details of fund allocated and utilized is under the Scheme Assistance to National Sports Federations (NSFs) which is at Annexure – II.

(d) and (e) Yes Sir. Differently abled sportspersons have excelled at international level by winning medals in various international events including Paralympics and Para Asian Games as would be seen from their following achievements: -

i. In Rio Paralympic Games 2015, Indian Para Athletes won 04 medals (2 Gold + 1 Silver + 1 Bronze) for the first time in Paralympics.

ii. In Asian Para Games, 2018 at Indonesia, Para Athletes won record number of medals ever won by Indian Para Athletes/Teams in Para Asian Games by winning 72 medals (15 Gold + 24 Silver + 33 Bronze).

iii. In Special Olympic World Summer Games 2019: Indian Special Athletes bagged 368 medal (85 Gold + 154 Silver + 129 Bronze).

iv. In World Para Shooting Championships 2019 at Sydney, Indian Para Athletes bagged 03 bronze medals and secured 02 quota places for Tokyo Paralympics 2021.

v. In World Para Athletics Championship, 2019 at Dubai, Indian Para Athletes bagged 09 medals (02 Gold, 02 Silver and 05 bronze medals), and secured 12 quota places for Tokyo Paralympics 2021.

Till date India has got 23 Quota Places for Tokyo Paralympic Games, 2021.

(f) Under the TOPS Scheme the prosthetics requirements of differently abled sports persons are evaluated to provide necessary support.

A TOPS Para athlete and Paralympic Quota Holder competing in Javelin Throw has been provided with a prosthetic leg and prosthetic leg blade in equipment support.

Another TOPS Para athlete and Paralympic Quota Holder competing in, Para Archer’s Men individual recurve has been provided with prosthesis support.

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