Govt announces package for Commonwealth Games' sportspersons

In order to provide best facilities, competitive environments, and to prepare sportspersons for the forthcoming major sporting event, the Commonwealth Games 2010, the Union Government signed a hefty amount for them on Thursday.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has nodded for a scheme for the sportsmen under 'Preparation of Indian Team for Commonwealth Games, 2010' for which Rs 678 crore will be disbursed for three years from now.

Out of the total expenditure of Rs 678 crore allotted for three years, Rs 375 crore will be spent on training and exposure part, Rs 85 crore for upgradation of SAI Centres and the second large share of Rs 218 crore will be disburse for providing medical facilities to the sportspersons.

The monetary assistance would help India to improve competitiveness of its players so as to augment the medals tally in major international events such as the Commonwealth Youth Games, 2008 (12th to 18th October in Pune, Maharastra) and Commonwealth Games, 2010 (New Delhi).

The money would also be spent on improving art training and availing competitive opportunities to elite sportspersons/ medal prospects.

The ministerial committee stated that a system for selection of performance-giver sportspersons would be developing to lead the players to the international event.

The amount will be spent under the scheme with the objectives of maximizing Indian medal's tally in the Commonwealth Games and that would constitute three main components:

(i) Comprehensive and intensive training and exposure (both in India and abroad) of 305 days in a year to 1286 elite sportspersons (medal probable) in 17 + 1 disciplines of the Commonwealth Games 2010;

(ii) Upgradation of 10 centres of the Sports Authority of India to international standards to cater to the training requirements of the elite sportspersons; and

(iii) Procurement of Sports Science/Medical Equipments for equipping SAI Centres with latest state of art facilities to cater to the sport science back-up/medical facilities of the elite sportspersons.

Commonwealth Games 2010

Not less than 71 countries across the globe will participate in the XIX Commonwealth Games, 2010, which is scheduled to be held this time in Delhi from October 3-14, in 2010. The Commonwealth Games are organised at every four years.

Sportspersons will participate in 17 sports disciplines viz, Archery, Athletics, Aquatics, Badminton, Boxing, Cycling, Gymnastics, Hockey, Lawn Bowls, Net Ball, Rugby 7s, Shooting, Squash, Table Tennis, Weightlifting and Wrestling.

Apart from these 17 disciplines, separate competitions will also be held for Elite Athletes with Disability (EAD).