Approx. 765 crores spent under Target Olympic Podium Scheme and Scheme of Assistance to NSFs from 2018-19 to till date: Shri Anurag Thakur

Key Highlights:

• Several athletes sent abroad for training during second wave of COVID-19 in the country.
• Financial assistance under Khelo India Scheme to States/UTs to develop critical sports infrastructure and other infrastructure
• Financial assistance for development of Khelo India State Centre of Excellence (SLKISCE) identified by States/UTs. 24 such centres are already functional

Preparation for International events includingOlympics is a continuous process. A High-Level Committee was constituted to oversee the preparation of Indian contingent for the Olympic Games, Tokyo 2020.During the second wave of Covid-19, several athletes were sent abroad for training so that they may remain unaffected by the ongoing pandemic in the country. Other Tokyo probables were trained in the training camps with social distancing.

Training and competitiveexposure to sportspersons preparing for international sports eventsincluding Olympics is taken care of under the funds allocated for theScheme of Assistance to National Sports Federations. Customisedtraining of medal prospects is taken care of under Target OlympicPodium Scheme (TOPS) under the overall ambit of National SportsDevelopment Fund.

The expenditure under TOPS is 54.26 crore and Scheme of Assistance to NSFs is 711.46 crore 2018-19 to till date.

‘Sports’ is a State subject. It is the primary responsibility of the State Governments to develop sports including development and creation of sports infrastructure of international standards. However, Central Government also provides financial assistance underits scheme of ‘Khelo India’ to States/UTs to develop critical sports infrastructure and otherinfrastructure, where there are gaps, including for sports science and sports equipment on thebasis of viable proposals from them.

Training of sportspersonspreparing to participate in major international tournaments such as Olympics is mainly held at Centres of Sports Authority of India, which have adequate facilities. Further, in order to improve the facilities owned by the State Governments, each State is permitted to identify one existing sports facilities to be declared as Khelo India State Centre of Excellence (SLKISCE)wherein financial support is provided for manpower and upgradation of sports infrastructure facilities by conducting gap analysis. Such 24 SLKISCEs have already started across the country.

This information was given by Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports,Shri Anurag Singh Thakur in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.

*******

NB/OA/UD

(Release ID: 1739124)
Visitor Counter : 24