Parliament Question: Financial Assistance for Athletes from Ladakh

Government of India Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports Department of Sports LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *437 TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.03.2026 Financial Assistance for Athletes from Ladakh *437. SHRI MOHMAD HANEEFA: Will the Minister of YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government is aware that a large number of talented young athletes from Ladakh belong to economically underprivileged families and are unable to afford travel and accommodation costs for attending training camps and competitions outside the region and if so, the details thereof; (b) whether the Government has any existing scheme to provide travel allowance, boarding and lodging facilities, nutritional support and basic health insurance to such athletes and if so, the details thereof; (c) whether the Government proposes to introduce a dedicated financial assistance scheme, specifically for talented athletes from economically weaker backgrounds in remote and high-altitude regions such as Ladakh; and (d) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to ensure that lack of financial resources does not prevent deserving athletes from Ladakh for participating in national-level training and competitions and sporting opportunities are determined by merit rather than economic capacity? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS [DR. MANSUKH MANDAVIYA] (a) to (d) A statement is laid on the Table of the House. ***** Page 1 of 3STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (a) to (d) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *437 TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.03.2026 REGARDING “FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR ATHLETES FROM LADAKH” ASKED BY SHRI MOHMAD HANEEFA, HON’BLE MEMBER OF LOK SABHA (a) to (d): The Government is running various sports promotional schemes across the country, including the UT of Ladakh, to support sporting ecosystem and athletes in the country. The details of the schemes are available in the public domain on the website of the Ministry at https://yas.nic.in/. The existing schemes of the Sports Authority of India (SAI) Scheme already provide comprehensive support to talented athletes across the country, including those from such regions. Under the SAI Training Centre (STC) scheme, assistance is provided to athletes in terms of boarding and lodging, sports kits, competition exposure, educational expenses, as well as medical and insurance coverage, across the country including the UT of Ladakh. A total of 55 athletes are currently training at STC Kargil on residential basis to excel at national and international level. Special travelling entitlement is also provided to athletes of the UT of Ladakh for participation in sporting competitions. Further, the Khelo India Scheme aims to be inclusive and accessible to all eligible athletes, irrespective of their socio-economic background. To address the distinct geographical and economic challenges in Ladakh, the Government has given special focus to the region by easing the standard provision of one Khelo India Centre (KIC) per district to five KICs per district. This approach ensures that grassroots training is available within local areas, minimizing the need for travel during the early stages of development. There are 03 KICs in Ladakh with a total of 108 athletes training in Table Tennis, Archery, Athletics, Football and Ice Hockey. Under the Scheme of Assistance to NSFs, the Ministry provides financial assistance to recognized National Sports Federations (NSFs) towards training of athletes which includes all requisite facilities for their preparations including nutritious diet, food supplements, equipment support, state-of-the-art infrastructure, lodging, travelling facilities, services of reputed Indian and Foreign Coaches/supporting staff, Page 2 of 3scientific & medical support, sports kit, etc. besides financial assistance for their training abroad and participation in international competitions in India and abroad. Furthermore, the Government provides a structured pathway to elite levels, with high-performing athletes progressing to the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS). To support the talented athletes from economically weaker backgrounds, including those from Ladakh, the Government is administering the Scheme of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay National Welfare Program for Sportspersons with the objective of providing financial assistance to outstanding sportspersons/family members living in indigent circumstances for various purposes like ameliorate condition, medical treatment, injuries, procurement of sports equipment’s etc. Under the scheme, financial assistance upto Rs 2.5 lakhs is provided for training, procurement of equipment and, participation in national and International sports events. Further, to ensure merit-driven opportunities, the Government implements a transparent and systematic scouting process implemented by Talent Identification and Development Committee (TIDC). Identified athletes are inducted as Khelo India Athletes (KIAs). Each identified KIA receives financial assistance of ₹6.28 lakh per annum. This covers high-quality coaching, sports science support, specialized diet, equipment, lodging, and medical insurance. It also includes a monthly Out-of-Pocket Allowance (OPA) of ₹10,000 provided directly to the athlete to ensure they can focus on training. Additionally, 06 editions of Khelo India Winter Games have been organised in Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh to promote winter and high- altitude sports, with over 5200 athlete participation. These games serve as one of the primary sources for talent identification to be inducted as Khelo India Athletes. ***** Page 3 of 3