Delhi Education Minister Ashish Sood Approves ₹9.75 Crore Aid for Sportspersons
New Delhi: With finances being a limiting factor for sportspersons, Delhi Education Minister Ashish Sood approved ₹9.75 crore to be given as assistance to athletes as part of Mukhyamantri Khel Prothsahan Yojana (MMKPY). Out of the approved sum, 89 elite and 34 school sportspersons have been recommended by the Committee of Experts, per the press release announcing the development. The assistance to sportspersons falls under the larger idea of nurturing talent.
Eligible athletes could get up to ₹20 lakh for their sporting needs. For school athletes, the idea has potential considering this is one of several ways through which they can find a sporting path ahead while pursuing academics. Eligible athletes to get up to ₹20 lakh for sporting needs, How much does it cost for sportspersons to get their needs – ranging from special coaching to equipment and nutrition catered to? A figure of up to ₹20 lakh per athlete gets mentioned as the assistance limit for eligible MMKPY beneficiaries. The eligibility of each athlete is to be decided based on MMKP guidelines and approval.
More Sports Disciplines Covered under Scheme
The inclusion of additional sports under MMKPY is another interesting development mentioned in the press release. The newly included sports have been categorized under athlete levels as well.
|
Category |
Newly included sports |
|
Elite sportspersons |
Wushu, Roller Skating, Kabaddi, Handball and Basketball |
|
School sportspersons |
Wushu, Mallakhamb, Yogasana and Roller Skating |
The newly added sports offer options for both elite as well as school-level athletes to choose from. Notably, disciplines such as Mallakhamb and Yogasana can potentially become a viable addition to the sports calendar of both school and non-school athletes.
The added disciplines offer options and scope for students who want to play physical sport(s) outside of standard curriculum sports. Adequate funds can ease the process of getting a suitable facility, trainer and equipment. Eligibility guidelines and procedure for selection remains applicable for the scheme.
Can be Interesting Avenue for Students
Physical or sport-based activities are commonly viewed as supplementary to a child’s academic progress – for good reason. Getting ₹20 lakh assistance can be useful for those who aspire to compete and want to advance in their chosen discipline(s) while being a student.
However, students can explore and pursue various activities to decide on what sporting passion to pick and nurture – with a longer list of approved sports disciplines being a helpful starting point.
How will ₹9.75crore assistance be distributed?
The approved ₹9.75crore assistance will be distributed in two phases, with the first being a direct bank transfer to eligible athletes’ bank accounts.
|
Financial assistance detail |
Amount or provision |
|
Total approved assistance |
₹9.75 crore |
|
Elite sportspersons |
89 |
|
School sportspersons |
34 |
|
First-phase disbursement |
60%, or ₹5.85 crore |
|
Remaining disbursement |
40%, or ₹3.90 crore |
|
Maximum assistance for an elite athlete |
Up to ₹20 lakh |
As per the scheme’s guidelines, ₹5.85crore of the total ₹9.75crore will be directly transferred to the eligible athlete’s bank account. For the second tranche – amounting to ₹3.90crore – the concerned authorities will have to verify utilisation and voucher before release.
Ashish Sood: Sports Important for Creating Self-Confidence, Resilience
Ashish Sood spoke about how sports and education are complementary concepts and not at odds with each other. Physical education and sports create self-confidence, fearlessness and resilience, he clarified in the press release.
By announcing ₹9.75crore to 89 elite and 34 school athletes, Ashish Sood added that the initiative seeks to provide a sporting pathway for athletes – from being a local school champion to an international-level competitor.
Conclusion
Delhi has approved ₹9.75crore to be distributed to 89 elite and 34 school sportspersons. Of the approved amount, 60% or ₹5.85crore will be given as a direct bank transfer to eligible athletes in the first phase. The remaining 40% or ₹3.90crore will be given upon verification of utilisation and voucher. Eligibility will have to be determined in accordance to MMKP guidelines.
Athletes can keep an eye out for announcements from the concerned Delhi government department about their eligibility, the mode of assistance, if any, and the process and documentation involved for the second phase of ₹3.90crore.
FAQs
1.How much financial assistance has Delhi approved for sportspersons?
Delhi approved ₹9.75crore as financial assistance to sportspersons.
2. How many athletes will benefit from the scheme?
The financial assistance has been approved for 89 elite and 34 school sportspersons.
3. What is the maximum assistance for elite athletes?
Eligible elite sportspersons stand to benefit from up to ₹20 lakh.
4. Which new sports have been included?
Wushu, Roller Skating, Kabaddi, Handball and Basketball have been added at the elite level and Wushu, Mallakhamb, Yogasana and Roller Skating have been added at the school level.
5. How will the financial assistance be released?
The first phase covers 60% of the approved assistance amount – ₹5.85crore – which will be released as a direct bank transfer to eligible athlete’s bank account. The remaining 40% – ₹3.90crore – will be released upon verification of utilisation and voucher.
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