NSDF to support 50 Olympic medal hopefuls

The National Sports Development Fund (NSDF) Thursday announced that up to 50 sportspersons, who are Olympic medal hopes, will get support for customised training under the 'NSDF 50' scheme.

The Sports Authority of India (SAI) has been asked to recommend the names of the sportspersons, in consultation with the concerned National Sports Federations (NSF), by the end of August.

"Potential sportspersons who are medal hopes for the 2020 Olympics should be encouraged and supported on a continuing basis. It would be necessary to evolve a proper and credible selection process to identify such sportspersons, in the age group of 16-20 years, in various Olympic disciplines. Up to a maximum of 50 can be supported for customised training under NSDF," said a sports ministry statement.

The statement also said that continued assistance will be subject to player performance which will be analysed twice a year.

"Institutes with world class facilities and coaches of international repute are to be identified for sending the selected candidates for training. Assurance of continued NSDF assistance to our medal prospects will enable them to concentrate on their preparation without having to worry about funding."

Long-term customised training programmes will be drawn up for the selected. In addition, normal NSDF funding for core probables will continue.

NSDF also decided that if an individual wins an Olympic medal without funding from them, reimbursement of expenditure incurred by him/her on training, competitions etc. will be considered as per norms.