Rs 7,386 Crore Boost: Govt Unveils New Roadmap for National Sports Federations
Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports announces a Rs 7,386 crore plan to boost athletes, host global events, and bid for 2036 Olympics.
In a massive push to elevate India's standing on the global sporting stage, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has released the operational guidelines for the revised Scheme of Assistance to National Sports Federations (NSFs). With a staggering total outlay of Rs 7,386.74 crore, the government has approved the continuation of this scheme for the period spanning 2026–27 to 2030–31, aligning with the 16th Finance Commission cycle.
This scheme acts as the backbone for Indian athletes as they gear up for the world's most prestigious competitions, including the Olympic Games, Paralympic Games, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, and various World Championships.
Comprehensive Support for Athletes and Coaching
The revised guidelines ensure that athletes have everything they need to perform at their peak. The assistance is not limited to just training but extends to a holistic support system. Key areas of funding include:
- Training Infrastructure: Funding for national coaching camps, training at specialized academies, and comprehensive athlete support services.
- Essential Needs: Coverage for boarding, lodging, sports kits, and insurance.
- Expertise: Provision for sports science facilities and the hiring of foreign coaches, High Performance Directors, and a dedicated support team consisting of doctors, sports scientists, and physiotherapists.
- Global Exposure: Support for international training programmes and overseas competitions to give athletes the necessary experience.
Strategic Vision: The Road to 2036
The government is not just looking at the next few years but is planning for a decade of dominance. The revised scheme introduces strategic components specifically designed to support India's ambitions for the 2036 Olympic bid and the Commonwealth Games 2030.
Hosting International Events
To make India a global hub for sports, the government has significantly increased the financial aid available to host international events. National Sports Federations can now receive up to Rs 50 crore to organize an international competition. The exact amount will depend on the event's significance, the number of participating athletes, and the countries involved. All such proposals will be scrutinized by a committee led by the Secretary (Sports).
Olympic Training Centres (OTCs)
In a move to reduce the heavy reliance on overseas training, the government proposes the creation of Olympic Training Centres (OTCs). While athletes currently use National Centres of Excellence (NCOEs) and private facilities, the new OTCs will be:
- Dedicated to individual sports.
- Equipped with state-of-the-art infrastructure and modern sports science tools.
- Staffed by expert personnel to provide elite athletes with technical assistance and specialized equipment.
Boosting Indigenous Sports and National Games
The scheme also recognizes the cultural value of traditional sports and the importance of domestic competition.
Global Outreach for Indigenous Games
For the first time, a dedicated component has been included to help indigenous sports reach a global audience. This includes assistance for:
- Getting indigenous games recognized as demonstration events in the Olympics, Asian Games, or Commonwealth Games.
- Helping establish national federations for these sports in other countries.
- Supporting international or continental federations of indigenous sports that operate out of India.
Elevating the National Games
To ensure the National Games are conducted on a grand and professional scale, the revised scheme provides assistance of up to Rs 50 crore. This funding will specifically cover sports equipment, Timing, Scoring and Result (TSR) services, and the remuneration of technical officials.
Additionally, the scheme encompasses the organization of Senior, Junior, and Sub-Junior National Championships, focusing on grassroots development and providing administrative and governance support to the National Sports Federations.