Under the Scheme of “Assistance to National Sports Federations”, financial assistance is provided by the Ministry to all recognized National Sports Federations (NSFs) including those NSFs dealing with sportspersons with disabilities such as Paralympic Committee of India (PCI), Special Olympic Bharat (SOB) and All India Sports Council of the Deaf (AISCD) for organizing National/ international events in India, participation in international tournaments abroad, procurement of sports equipment, coaching/ training, engagement of foreign coaches etc. This was stated by Shri Ajay Maken, Minister of State (I/C) for Youth Affairs & Sports, in the Lok Sabha today, in a written reply to a question by Shri Ananth Kumar. Financial Assistance under this scheme is sanctioned to the NSFs only. The Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports does not receive the information regarding the amount sanctioned/disbursed, if any, by any State Government to such Federations. The details of financial assistance provided by the Ministry under the aforementioned scheme during last three years and current year to PCI, Special Olympic Bharat (SOB) and All India Sports Council of the Deaf (AISCD) for promotion of sports amongst physically challenged sports persons is given below:-
(Rs. in lakhs)
S.No. | Name of the Federation | 2009-10 | 2010-11 | 2011-12 | 2012-13 | Total |
1. | Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) | 142.83 | 221.39 | 77.77 | 160.00 | 601.99 |
2. | Special Olympic Bharat (SOB) | 3.81 | 12.00 | 285.89 | 675.00 | 976.70 |
3. | All India Sports Council for Deaf (AISCD) | 23.98 | 47.65 | 75.82 | 105.00 | 252.45 |
The Minister further stated that to ensure proper utilization of Govt. grants released to National Sports Federations including Paralympic Committee of India (PCI)Special Olympic Bharat (SOB) and All India Sports Council of the Deaf (AISCD), the Ministry insists on submission of utilization certificates and audited accounts. Further grant for an event is released only after settlement of accounts of previous grants. Moreover, the accounts of NSFs receiving Government grant exceeding Rs. One crore are audited by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG). The utilization certificate for the years 2009-10 and 2010-11 have been received in respect of the above NSFs and those for the year 2011-12 is due during the current year.
Prior to recognition, PCI was able to support only a few disciplines, whereas now, it has been able to promote as many as thirteen sports disciplines namely, Athletics, Archery, Badminton, Power Lifting, Shooting, Swimming, Wheel chair Tennis, Table Tennis, Wheel Chair Basket Ball, Wheel Chair fencing, Rowing, Sitting volley ball, Golf, etc. After the recognition granted by the Government to PCI in the year 2005, the Paralympic sport has grown tremendously in the country. PCI is now able to send athletes to participate in major international events abroad in Paralympic sport with Government support. Also, as a result thereof, a large number of athletes have won medals at Asian/World/Regional/Commonwealth Championships and games in Paralympic sports during the years 2006-07 to 2011-12 the Minister added