Question : Incentives to Sportspersons

(a) whether the Government has formulated any policy on the lines of Cricket players for providing equal remuneration and other facilities to the various State and National level sportspersons playing different sports like Kabaddi and Khokho particularly in rural areas; (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; (c) whether the Government has any scheme to upgrade and give incentives to the sportspersons of different games so as to improve their performance in international and national level competitions; and (d) if so, the details thereof including the works performed by the Government in this regard?

THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS [KIREN RIJIJU]

(a) and (b) : The Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports does not pay remuneration to players of any sports discipline. The Ministry provides financial incentives in the forms of cash awards and pension under the ‘Scheme of Special Awards to Medal Winners in International Sports Events and their Coaches’ and the Scheme of Pension to Meritorious Sportspersons. Benefits of these schemes are equally applicable to
the sportspersons belonging to disciplines of kabaddi and kho-kho as per the eligibility conditions prescribed in these schemes.

(c) and (d) : Various schemes are already being implemented by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports and the Sports Authority of India (SAI) for providing training and competitive exposure within the country and abroad aiming at improved performance of country’s sportspersons in international sports events. Under the Scheme of Assistance to National Sports Federations (NSFs) financial assistance is provided for conduct of National Championships, conduct of international tournaments in India, participation of sportspersons in international sports competitions, organizing coaching camps, engagement of foreign coaches, and procurement of sports equipments. Under the National Sports Development Fund (NSDF), financial assistance is being provided for customized training of elite athletes included in target Olympic Podium (TOP) Scheme.

Incentives in the form of Cash Awards are being given to medal winners in international sports events as per the eligibility conditions prescribed in Ministry’s Scheme of Special Awards to medal winners in international sports events and their coaches.

*****