Parliament Question: Financial Assistance to Sportspersons

Government of India Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports Department of Sports LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1207 TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.07.2026 Financial Assistance to Sportspersons 1207. SHRI THARANIVENTHAN M S: Will the Minister of YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS be pleased to state: (a) the details of financial assistance provided to sportspersons under various schemes of the Government during the last five years and the current year including the number of beneficiaries ,State/UT-wise including sport-wise in Arani Lok Sabha Constituency of Tamil Nadu; (b) whether the Government provides specialised coaching, sports science support, nutrition assistance, physiotherapy and medical facilities to athletes preparing for national and international competitions and if so, the details thereof; (c) the details of training camps, coaches, support staff and high- performance centres established or utilised for the development of elite athletes during the said period; and (d) whether the Government has conducted any assessment of the adequacy of financial and institutional support provided to sportspersons, particularly athletes from rural, tribal, economically weaker and disadvantaged backgrounds and if so, the details thereof? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS [DR. MANSUKH MANDAVIYA] (a) 'Sports' being a State subject, the responsibility for promotion and development of sports, including providing financial assistance to sportspersons, rests primarily with the respective State/Union Page 1 of 4Territory Governments. The Union Government supplements the efforts of the States/UTs through its various schemes/programmes, namely, (i) Khelo India – National Programme for Development of Sports; (ii) Assistance to National Sports Federations (ANSF); (iii) Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS); (iv) National Sports Development Fund (NSDF); (v) Scheme of Cash Incentive to Medal Winners in International Sports Events and their Coaches; (vi) National Sports Awards; (vii) Sports Fund for Pension to Meritorious Sportspersons; (viii) Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay National Welfare Program for Sportspersons; and (ix) Sports Promotional Schemes implemented through the Sports Authority of India (SAI). Under the SAI Sports Promotional Schemes, namely National Centres of Excellence (NCOEs), SAI Training Centres (STCs), Extension Centres of STCs and National Sports Talent Contest (NSTC), selected sportspersons are provided scientific training, quality coaching, sports science support, boarding and lodging, sports equipment, competition exposure and other allied facilities as per the approved scheme norms. Financial assistance is also extended to elite athletes under TOPS and to para-athletes. Apart from the above, the Government provides comprehensive support to athletes preparing for National and International competitions through Assistance to National Sports Federations (ANSF). Further, under the Khelo India Scheme, each Khelo India Athlete receives financial assistance of ₹6.28 lakh per annum, which includes expenditure on coaching, sports science support, kitting, boarding & lodging, insurance and educational support. The Scheme wise, year wise expenditure report for schemes of Department of Sports are available at https://yas.gov.in/en/sports/financial-reports. (b) Yes, Sir, The Government provides specialized coaching, sports science support, nutrition assistance, physiotherapy and medical facilities to athletes preparing for national and international Page 2 of 4competitions through the SAI Sports Promotional Schemes, Assistance to National Sports Federations (ANSF) and the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS). The National Centre for Sports Science and Research (NCSSR) serves as the apex institution for promoting evidence-based sports science and sports medicine in the country. NCSSR undertakes activities relating to athlete performance enhancement through integrated sports science support, sports science research, dissemination of scientific knowledge, and rehabilitation of sports injuries. Activities relating to accreditation of testing services and training programmes, and testing and certification of sports supplements are presently at an initial stage of implementation. Further, Sports Science Centres have been established at SAI's National Centres of Excellence (NCOEs) and Regional Centres to provide integrated support through Exercise Physiologists, Sports Biomechanists, Sports Psychologists, Sports Nutritionists, Physiotherapists, Strength & Conditioning Experts, and Sports Medicine Specialists. Athletes receive regular performance assessment and monitoring, individualized nutrition and recovery support, physiotherapy, rehabilitation, and sports medicine services. Elite athletes covered under the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) are also provided advanced sports science and sports medicine support, both within the country and abroad. These initiatives are aimed at enhancing athletic performance, preventing injuries, optimizing recovery, and improving the preparedness and international competitiveness of Indian athletes. Apart from above, through the initiative of Khelo India State Centre of Excellence (KISCE) critical gaps in the state facilities are filled especially in terms of equipment (sports & sports science) and high- quality manpower. (c) SAI has established a network of National Centres of Excellence (NCOEs) across the country as High-Performance Centres for training elite and developmental athletes. These Centres provide world-class sports infrastructure, scientific athlete monitoring, individualized training programmes, sports science support, recovery and Page 3 of 4rehabilitation facilities, boarding and lodging and competition exposure. Training camps are organised under the Assistance to National Sports Federations (ANSF) Scheme in consultation with the concerned National Sports Federations. During the last 5 years more than 650 National Coaching Camps have been organized. (d) The norms and financial assistance under various schemes are revised from time to time to ensure that athletes receive adequate support for coaching, boarding and lodging, equipment, sports science services, competition exposure, education and other training-related requirements. This department conducts Third party evaluation on all its existing schemes and Report is available at https://yas.gov.in/en/sports/third-party-evaluation-study-report. The institutional framework is also strengthened periodically through expansion and upgradation of training centres, enhancement of sports science and medical support, engagement of qualified coaches and support staff, and improved access to quality sports infrastructure, with a focus on ensuring equitable opportunities for athletes across all sections of society, including those from rural, tribal, economically weaker and disadvantaged backgrounds. The Government also ensures that selection of athletes under its schemes is based on transparent and merit-based criteria, thereby providing equal opportunities to talented sportspersons irrespective of their socio-economic background. ***** Page 4 of 4