Question : Training for Rio Olympic Games-2016

(a) the details of the preparatory work undertaken by the Government to win more medals in the coming Rio Olympic Games to be held in August, 2016;
(b) whether the Government has made all arrangements for providing adequate training to the sportspersons selected/qualified for participation in the said
Olympic Games and if so, the details thereof;
(c) the total number of sportspersons selected for providing training for participation in the said Olympic Games category-wise; and
(d) the total amount allotted for the training and to meet all the expenditure for
the sportspersons in the said Olympic Games?

THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE)
FOR YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
(SHRI SARBANANDA SONOWAL)
(a) & (b): Preparations for the sportspersons and teams of the country for
participation in international sports events including Rio Olympics 2016 is an
ongoing exercise.

In order to support India’s best medal prospects for 2016 and 2020 Olympics,
the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports has started a ‘Target Olympic Podium
Scheme’ (TOP Scheme) under the National Sports Development Fund (NSDF). An
Elite Athletes Identification Committee has been set up with Ms. Anju Bobby
George, renowned athlete as its chairperson, Shri Rahul Dravid, Shri Pullella
Gopichand and Ms. M C Mary Kom as members among others to evaluate and
select potential medal prospects for 2016 and 2020 Olympic Games for support
under the TOP Scheme.

Identified medal prospects are being provided financial assistance for
their customized training at Institutes having world class facilities and other
necessary support under TOP Scheme.
Further, National coaching camps are being organized and competitive
exposure abroad is being provided to the identified probables under the Scheme
of Assistance to National Sports Federations (NSFs) so that more and more
sportspersons qualify for participation in Rio Olympics 2016 and put up their best
performance in the Olympic Games.

(c) So far, 75 sportspersons [43 individual sportspersons and 16 members
each of Hockey (Men) and Hockey (Women) teams] have qualified for Rio
Olympics 2016. Discipline-wise numbers of sportspersons who have earned
quota place for the country for participation in Rio Olympics 2016 is given in
Annexure. More are expected to qualify, as the qualification process will go on
till July 2016. All sportspersons who have earned quota place for the country
for participation in Rio Olympics 2016 and who are expected to qualify are
being provided comprehensive training/ coaching within the country and
abroad.

(d): No separate budgetary allocation has been made for training of Indian
sportspersons and teams for their participation in Rio Olympics 2016.
Expenditure on preparation of sportspersons for Rio Olympics 2016 is being
met from the Scheme of Assistance to National Sports Federations (NSFs). A
budgetary allocation of Rs.185 crore has been made for the Scheme of
Assistance to NSFs in current financial year 2016-17. During 2015-16,
Budgetary allocation of Rs.185 crore was made for preparation of
sportspersons and teams etc. under the Scheme of Assistance of NSFs.
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