New Delhi: With a view to giving a boost to the preparation of Indian athletes for Rio Olympics, 2016 and enhancing the medal hopes of the country, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has made upward revision of various financial parameters under the Scheme of Assistance to National Sports Federations. This was announced by the Minister of State (I/C) Youth Affairs and Sports Sarbananda Sonowal in Guwahati on Tuesday.

Addressing media persons, he said that as per the revised norms, the amount for holding national championships has been revised from Rs.2.lakhs for seniors, juniors and sub-juniors to Rs.5 lakhs for seniors, Rs.7 lakhs for juniors and Rs.10 lakhs for sub-juniors. This will help catch sporting talent young.

The Minister said, in order to promote traditional tournaments, a new provision of assistance of up to Rs. 5 lakh each for such events has been made. Such tournaments will be identified by a Committee of experts. Assistance of Rs. 25 lakh will be available for holding prestigious tournaments in India. This will help improve the quality of tournaments.

He said, it has been decided that senior players and coaches will be allowed to travel by air in economy class for a distance beyond 500 kms. Similarly, junior players will be allowed to travel by air in economy class for a distance beyond 1200 kms. Sub-junior players will be allowed to travel by AC III tier. Earlier, air travel was not admissible and senior players were travelling by AC II tier and junior and sub-junior players were travelling by sleeper class for domestic competitions. This will make participation by athletes less stressful and convenient.

Sonowal said, air travel has been allowed for coaching camps and competitions held in the North-East Region. Similarly, the athletes from the North-East Region will be allowed air travel from their residence/coaching camps to and from Kolkata.

Medical insurance policy of Rs.5 lakhs and personal accident policy of Rs.25 lakhs for athletes has been allowed.

He said, for international events held in India, the quantum of financial assistance has been enhanced from Rs.10 lakhs to Rs.30 lakhs per tournament. The assistance can be utilized for boarding, lodging, transportation, rent of playfields, cost of consumable equipment, certificates, medals, awards and prize money. Prior to the revision, there was no provision of assistance for prize money.

Sonowal said, the salary of various support personnel like doctors, physiotherapists, psychologists, masseurs, etc. has also been substantially hiked to attract highly skilled personnel to assist the athletes.

High performance specialist coaches with a remuneration up to Rs. 2 lakh per month can be engaged by SAI/NSFs for sports disciplines included in mega events.

The salary of chief coach has been enhanced by three times from Rs.50,000 to Rs.1,50,000 per month. Higher salary will also be allowed in specific deserving cases. The salary of other coaches has also been enhanced from Rs.30, 000 to Rs.75, 000 per month. This will incentivise good coaches.

The Minister said, NSFs have been allowed to procure equipment upto Rs.10 lakh. Above that amount, the procurement will be done by Sports Authority of India (SAI).

Evaluation of athletes’ performance from Sports Science point of view has been allowed. An amount of Rs.1500/- per athlete per international participation (if camp is not held before competition) for undergoing evaluation from Sports Science and Medical Fitness point of view will be paid by the government.