Question : RIO OLYMPIC GAMES

(a) whether the Government has signed any Memorandum of Understanding with any company in the recent past for promoting sportspersons in the country and if so, the salient features thereof;

(b) whether the sportspersons of different sporting events have so far been identified/selected for participating in Rio Olympic Games 2016 and those have been provided/being provided financial assistance for their customized training at world class institutes under the Target Olympic Podium (TOP) scheme;

(c) if so, the details thereof, sports discipline-wise and the criteria adopted for their selection;

(d) whether it is a fact that there is a resentment amongst the sports persons including Badminton Players for not including their names in the TOP scheme inspile of their good performance and if so, the details thereof;

(e) whether the Government has also issued directions to the sportspersons under TOP scheme to end all ties with private organizations which are providing technical and monetary support to sports persons and if so, the details thereof; and

(f) the total funds allocated/released/ spent so far for preparation of sportspersons participating in the said games?

THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS

(SHRI SARBANANDA SONOWAL)

(a): The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (Department of Sports) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with India Infrastructure Finance Company Limited (IIFCL), which is a Public Sector Company, in March 2015. The IIFCL will contribute Rs.30 crore (Rs.10 crore each year for three years) to the National Sports Development Fund (NSDF) for the Target Olympic Podium (TOP) Scheme under its initiatives for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). The TOP Scheme has been formulated within the overall ambit of the NSDF with the objective of identifying and supporting potential medal prospects for 2016 and 2020 Olympics Games.

The IIFCL has contributed Rs.10 crore to the NSDF in March 2015. The contribution will be used to fund the activities of sport of Badminton under TOP Scheme.

(b): 45 sportspersons in the disciplines of Athletics, Badminton, Boxing, Shooting, Wrestling and Sailing have been identified/selected for their customized training at Institutes/ Centers, having world class facilities/high quality support staff, under the guidance of reputed coaches.

(c): Criteria for selection included recent performance, consistency in performance, performance vis-a-viz international standards, etc. The list of sportspersons selected so far under the scheme is given in the statement at Annexure-I.

(d): There have been representations from Ms Jwala Gutta and Ms Ashwini Ponnappa, Badminton Players (Doubles) for their inclusion in the TOP Scheme. There is provision for periodic review of performance of sportspersons, who reach the prescribed benchmark, for induction in the Scheme

(e): No such directions have been issued.

(f): Total fund allocated is given in the statement at Annexure-I. A sum of Rs.96.80 lacs has been released so far.