Parliament Question: Travel Facilities and Rail Quota for Sportspersons

Government of India Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports Department of Sports LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 4841 TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.03.2026 Travel Facilities and Rail Quota for Sportspersons 4841. Thiru Dr. S Jagathratchakan: Will the Minister of YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS be pleased to state: (a) whether it is a fact that a group of young wrestlers from Odisha, who were participating in a national-level sporting event, were compelled to travel in general compartments of a train and sit near toilet areas due to the absence of confirmed rail tickets and if so, the details of the circumstances leading to such travel arrangements; (b) whether the Government has any existing policy or quota with Indian Railways to facilitate travel for sportspersons representing States or institutions at national and inter-State sporting competitions and if so, the details thereof; (c) if not, the reasons for the absence of such a mechanism; and (d) whether the Government proposes to consider the introduction of a dedicated travel quota for athletes travelling for national sporting events and if so, the details thereof? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS [DR. MANSUKH MANDAVIYA] Page 1 of 2(a) Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), the recognized National Sports Federation (NSF) for wrestling, has stated that responsibility for making travel arrangements for athletes in national-level sporting event is that of the respective State wrestling associations, and, it did not receive any reference regarding travel arrangements for any group of wrestlers from Odisha. The Railway Board has also confirmed that no request was received in Northern Railway for confirmation of accommodation for athletes in question. (b) to (d) The Ministry of Railways’ instructions are in place for providing facility of block reservations to sports teams participating in national tournaments recognized by the Association of Indian Universities, NSFs, Indian Olympic Association, and School Games Federation of India, which can be done without waiting for the finalization of the team. Sports teams participating in national tournaments can send their formal request to the nearest quota controlling authority where requests for releasing seats from unutilized quota of seats earmarked to meet the urgent requirements of High Official Requisition (HOR) holders. ***** Page 2 of 2