Govt increases quantum of assistance to former sportspersons

The government today increased the quantum of financial assistance given to former sportspersons under the National Welfare Fund of Sportspersons while also expanding the scope of the scheme to include more such athletes to get monetary benefits.
The Sports Ministry said the Scheme of National Welfare Fund of Sportspersons has been reviewed again and has been revised extensively. The scope of the Scheme has also been expanded to include more sportspersons for being considered for financial assistance from the Fund.
The quantum of assistance from the Fund has also been substantially enhanced.
"Under the revised scheme, the amount of annual income for being eligible for getting financial assistance from the Fund has been raised from the existing Rs 2 lakh to Rs 4 lakh," the Ministry said in a release.

"Under the revised scheme, sportspersons and family members of the sportspersons living in indigent circumstances will be eligible for financial assistance," it added.
Financial assistance may be granted to an outstanding sportsperson now living in indigent circumstances, subject to a maximum of Rs 5 lakh.

Financial assistance subject to a maximum of Rs 10 lakh may be granted to an outstanding sportsperson for injuries sustained during training for and participation in sports competitions.
Financial assistance not exceeding Rs 5 lakh may be provided to the families of deceased outstanding sportspersons living in indigent circumstances.
Financial assistance not exceeding Rs 10 lakh may be provided for medical treatment of an outstanding sportsperson or of any of his/her family members living in indigent circumstances.

Financial assistance not exceeding Rs 2 lakh may be provided to coaches and support personnel such as doctors, psychologists, mentors, physiotherapists, masseurs who have been attached with national coaching camps for senior category players and national teams (senior category), and umpires, referees and match officials, who have been associated with recognized national championships (senior category) and international tournaments (senior category) in the disciplines included in Olympics, Asian and Commonwealth Games who are living in indigent circumstances or to family members of such deceased support personnel living in indigent circumstances.
The National Welfare Fund for Sportspersons was set up in March 1982 with a view to assisting outstanding sportspersons of yesteryears, who had brought glory to the country in sports, now living in indigent circumstances. The scheme was last reviewed and revised in July 2009.