New Delhi: The Sports Ministry on Wednesday cleared the three Indian athletes who have qualified for next month's Winter Olympics at government cost despite the trio taking part in the Sochi Games as Independent Athletes.
Shiva Keshavan (in luge), Himanshu Thakur (in alpine skiing) and Nadeem Iqbal (cross country skiing) have been cleared by the government for the February 7-23 Games after a meeting chaired by Sports Minister Jitendra Singh.
“Although the Winter Games of Federation of India (WGFI) made the request for financial assistance for participation of Indian sportspersons in Winter Olympics on 28th December 2013 as against the requirement of sending the proposal for financial assistance at least 90 days before commencement of a sports event, the Ministry, as a special case, has directed the Sports Authority of India (SAI) to release funds to WGFI immediately,” said a press release from the Sports Ministry.
Funds for the following components under the Scheme of Assistance to NSFs for the three sportspersons and three coaches who would be accompanying them will be released:
(i) Air passage cost (economy class): as per actuals or differential of the actual air passage cost and the air passage cost provided by the Organizing Committee of the Games.
(ii) Out of pocket allownce: US $ 50 per day per person for the period of the stay of the sportspersons and coaches in Sochi.
(iii) Sports Kit including ceremonial dress: Rs. 20,000 per person.
(iv) Boarding and lodging: as per norms provided in the Ministry's Scheme of Assistance to NSFs, in case Organizing Committee of the Games is not providing free boarding and lodging in the Games Village.
“The Ministry is separately examining the request of the WGFI for grant of funds for players and coaches from the National Sports Development Fund for items such as ski, ski boot, Ski Stick, Ski Suit and snow clothing which are not covered under the Scheme of Assistance to National Sports Federations,” said the press release, adding that the above decisions were reached at a meeting, taken by the Minister of State ( Independent charge) for Youth Affairs & Sports, Jitendra Singh in New Delhi on Wednesday.