(a) the steps taken by Government regarding preparation for Olympic Games, 2021; and
(b) the steps taken for financial/medical/human and technical support to athletes participating in the Olympic Games, 2021?
(a) the steps taken by Government regarding preparation for Olympic Games, 2021; and
(b) the steps taken for financial/medical/human and technical support to athletes participating in the Olympic Games, 2021?
THE MINISTER FOR YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
[SHRI ANURAG SINGH THAKUR]
(a): Preparation of Indian sportspersons and teams for international sports events including Olympics-2021 is an ongoing process. The Central Government is supporting sportspersons through National Sports Federations (NSFs) for their training, foreign exposures and competitions to enable them to obtain maximum quota for participation in Olympics and enhance their chances of winning medals. Under the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), customized training and allied facilities are also being made available to medal prospects and high achievers. At present, 147 individual athletes & 2 hockey teams (M&W) as core group have been selected under the TOPS.
High priority category of sports discipline has been identified to put focus on and incentivize those sports disciplines played in the Olympics in which India has won medals in the last conducted Asian Games as well as Commonwealth Games or in which India has good chance of winning medals in the upcoming Olympics.
A High-Level Committee has been constituted to oversee the preparation of Indian contingent for the Olympic Games, Tokyo 2020-21.
Collective efforts of the Government, National Sport Federations and other stakeholders have seen a total of 127 athletes qualify for the Tokyo Olympics.
(b) Financial/Medical/Human and Technical Assistance to Tokyo bound athletes have been provided. The Government provides assistance to elite sportspersons preparing for major international events including Olympic Games by providing funding support through Assistance to National Sports Federations (NSFs) Scheme
Under the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), customized training and allied facilities are also being made available to medal prospects and high achievers. Out of pocket allowance (OPA) is paid to TOPS athletes selected in Core Group at the rate of Rs.50,000 per month and to Development Group at the rate of Rs.25,000 per month and customized training support at National Centre of Excellence (NCOE). Salary, travel expenses of Coaches/Support Staff of TOPS athlete is also supported through TOPS.
National Campers training in National camps held all over India in different SAI and non-SAI Centres, Athletes selected under Khelo India Scheme, NCOE athletes at SAI NCOEs and Non-SAI TOPS NCOEs, Special Training Centres (STC) athletes all over India in different SAI Centres are provided medical assistance coverage of Rs. 5 lakhs and personal accidental policy coverage of Rs. 25 lakhs.
For Foreign Training and Exposures, insurance (Visa and Travel) is done via authorized travel agency along with the travel arrangements for the athletes and the same is reimbursed as per the actual by SAI.
Additionally, individual proposals received from the athletes for any injury or sports science staff such as physiotherapist, nutritionist, fitness trainer, psychologists etc. are also provided from time to time as per the requirement.
Central Athlete Injury Management System (CAIMS) has been set-up for streamlining the sports medicine and rehabilitation support offered to the athletes targeting Olympic Games 2024 and beyond. The mandate for such a system includes prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation afforded to the athletes in a timely manner and maintenance of records for mapping the injury history of an athlete.
Equipment support is being provided to the athletes in their respective sport disciplines under Assistance to NSF for National Camps as per the proposals received. Also, specific equipment requested by athlete for training & competition is being provided as recommended by NSFs.
****