(a) whether the Government is providing financial assistance to sportspersons;
(b) if so, the details of such assistance provided during each of the last five years and the current year, State/UT/Sportwise;
(c) the steps being taken to increase such financial assistance for national and international level sportspersons; and
(d) the steps being taken by the Government to attract sportspersons by providing incentives to suit the present conditions?
THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE)
FOR YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
[SHRI KIREN RIJIJU]
(a) to (d): A statement is laid on the table of the House.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.61 FOR ANSWER ON 21.11.2019 REGARDING FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO SPORTSPERSONS BY SHRI VENKATESH NETHA BORLAKUNTA AND SHRI PASUNOORI DAYAKAR, HON’BLE MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT.
(a) Yes Sir. Financial assistance is provided for training of sportspersons, their participation in exposures and competitions abroad and for athletes living in indigent circumstances.
(b) Assistance to athletes is not provided State/UT-wise. Details of assistance provided for training, participation in competitions and exposures abroad and athletes in indigent circumstances are given in Annexure-I to Annexure-IV.
(c) Department of Sports finalises Annual Calendar of Training and Competitions (ACTC) for different sports in consultation with concerned National Sports Federations wherein decisions for training of athletes and their participation in sports events are taken on merits. ACTC budget is sanctioned on need basis.
(d) Government has taken a number of steps to encourage participation of youth in sports. Upto 5% reservation is provided in direct recruitment in Group C posts for meritorious sportspersons. Sports Authority of India recruits Olympians/Para Olympians as Assistant Coach. Assistance is provided for training of athletes and their participation in exposures and competitions including those held
abroad. At present, 14659 athletes are assisted for training under various schemes of Department of Sports. Of these, 8701 are getting benefitted through full time residential facilities. Awards and recognition are also given to meritorious sportspersons. A decision has been taken to allow use of sports facilities of the Department of Sports free of cost to athletes and coaches.
****