Review of the Year 2009

The Year 2009 witnessed spectrum of initiatives undertaken for transformation of sports in the country by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.  Important ones are measures taken to prevent “age frauds” in sports, increase transparency and accountability of National Sports Federations, formulating a Scheme of Sports & Games for the Disabled ,   review of welfare schemes  for sportspersons, out of pocket allowance for athletes participating in the international tournaments and strengthening of Anti- Doping mechanism under the motto “ Medals with Honour” . The Anti-Doping Rules of National Anti Doping Agency (NADA) of India became operational from 1st January, 2009.

Regarding preparations for the Commonwealth Games, Financial sanctions for all the stadia have been accorded, and work is progressing at a rapid pace.  All possible measures are being taken, including increase in number of supervisory staff and labour, increase in working hours, deployment of additional machinery, close monitoring of procurement of special and critical items.  The Group of Ministers constituted for the Commonwealth Games, reviews the progress every week.  The stadia will be completed in time for the Commonwealth Games, to be held in October, 2010. The Government has sanctioned a budget of Rs. 1620 crore  for the Organising Committee (OC) . In order to strengthen the internal management and financial administration of the OC, at the request of chairman, OC, a Retired Secretary to Government of India was posted to the OC as Chief Executive Officer in October, 2009.  Three other senior serving officers, including a Finance expert were also made available to the OC.

To improve the performance of our athletes in the Commonwealth Games, for the first time, the government has approved in June, 2008 a Scheme at a cost of Rs 678 Crores for the comprehensive training and coaching of athletes.  1126 core athletes of the 17 sports discipline and of Para Sports have been selected and are undergoing intensive training and exposure.  166 Indian and 26 Foreign Coaches of the highest caliber have been engaged for their training, along with 79 other support personnel including, sports analysts, sports medicine doctors and physiotherapists.  Teams are being sent regularly on visits abroad for training and competitions.

The highlights of the measures taken during the year are as follows;

ISSUE OF INSTRUCTIONS RELATING TO FRAUD IN AGE OF PLAYERS:

After taking note of incidents of age fraud committed by some athletes, to ensure fair play, specific guidelines have been drafted and issued to National Sports Federations (NSFs) to take appropriate measures to check age fraud. This has been done on the same lines as anti-doping measures, as both amounts to cheating, which violate the basic spirit of sports.  Henceforth, the NSFs are required to issue identity cards to National Athletes, draw a clear policy with regard to submission of documents in support of age proof and medical procedure for verification in case of doubt and appeal procedures.

MEASURES TO INCREASE TRANSPARENCY OF AFFAIRS OF NATIONAL SPORTS FEDERATIONS (NSFS) :

In order to update records of National Sports Federations (NSFs), action has been undertaken to collect and maintain the data/documents with regard to legal, financial, management and operational status of NSFs.  NSFs have also been asked to draw the calendar of their activities for the next year so as to enable players/States units, Association of Indian Universities (AIU) and School Games Federation of India to plan their participation and sporting activities.It has also been decided to introduce annual recognition procedure for the NSFs with effect from January 2010.  The NSFs, who will submit the requisite documents sought by the Ministry, will be granted fresh recognition certificate in January, 2010.  Subsequent annual renewal will be automatic in respect of Federations which will submit the annual report & audited accounts and other details.It is expected that this will improve planning of operations and transparency in the NSFs, which have been bestowed with the high responsibility of improvement of Indian sports.

OUT OF POCKET ALLOWANCE FOR ATHLETES PARTICIPATING IN INTERNATIONAL SPORTS EVENTS:

Till recently Government was providing out of pocket allowance to the players for participating in major multidisciplinary events only.  This was putting athletes and coaches participating in other international tournaments at a serious disadvantage. On noticing this disparity, Sports Minister has approved provision of pocket allowance upto US $ 25 per day per player and other members of the Indian Contingent for participation in major international sports events aboard.

FORMULATION OF THE SCHEME FOR SPORTS AND GAMES FOR THE DISABLED :

Persons with disabilities have been increasingly participating in sports events. Some of them have emerged triumphant in international events. But so far, India did not have a policy for the sports for disabled persons. Considering the importance of providing opportunities for the disabled in sports, a Scheme for Promotion of Sports and Games among Disabled has been formulated, for the first time. The objective of the Scheme is the broad-basing of participative sports among the disabled.

The Scheme of Sports & Games for the Disabled extends support through grants for sports coaching and purchase of consumables & non-consumable sports equipment for Schools; for training of coaches; and for holding District, State & National level competitions for the disabled. The successful implementation of the Scheme will go a long way in integration of the disabled in the mainstream of the society.

STRENGTHENING OF NATIONAL DOPE TESTING LABORATORY:

National Dope Testing Laboratory (NDTL) got accreditation from World Anti Doping Agency (WADA) in September 2008. In order to meet the demands of the forthcoming Common Wealth Games (CWG) 2010 and also to increase the Annual sample testing capacity from existing 2000 to 5000 in 2010, a comprehensive Action plan has been prepared. The Action plan includes upgradation of technology, recruitment of manpower (both permanent and on contract), availability of foreign experts during CWG 2010 and setting up of new test methods as per the WADA guidelines. Due to the commitment of  Sports Minister to dope-free sports under the motto “ Medals with Honour”, sanctions have been speedily issued to achieve these ends. The exercise is expected to be completed by April 2010.

At present, 360 samples from International competitions have been tested in NDTL. Various countries like Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Brunei, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Bangladesh etc., have shown keen interest for sample testing by NDTL.NDTL has also initiated the process of long-term collaboration with the WADA accredited labs of Cologne, Rome and London and this collaboration will focus on specific areas of research. The objective is to create a world-class facility, which will cater not only to the Asian region, but also as a competitive alternative to western laboratories.

REVIEW OF THE SCHEME OF NATIONAL WELFARE FUND FOR SPORTSPERSONS:

National Welfare Fund for Sportspersons provides assistance to sportspersons of yesteryears and their families, who brought glory for the country but are now living in indigent circumstances. Scheme was reviewed in July 2009. A Scheme of Pension for Meritorious Sportspersons already exists. Now, lump sum ex-gratia assistance will be given to such sportspersons or to their families for medical treatment etc.

Assistance from the Fund has been extended to Ms. Sulinder Kaur, widow of late Shri Makkhan Singh, the Gold Medalist in 4 x 400 mtrs relay race and Silver medalist in 400 mtrs in 1962 Jakarta Asian Games (Rs. 3 lakhs); to Shri J. Sreedharan , Boxing coach, for his medical treatment as he has been paralyzed since last 2 years (Rs. 3 lakhs); and Rs. 1.5 lakh each to widows of six members of the Indian football Team that took part in Melbourne Olympics, 1956 and reached up to the semi-finals, the only time an Indian team has done so. Earlier, in February 2009, nine surviving members of the Indian Football Team had also been given financial assistance of Rs. 1.5 lakh each.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE UNDER THE NATIONAL SPORTS DEVELOPMENT FUND SCHEME :

The Ministry approved assistance worth Rs. 7.41 crore from National Sports Development Fund during May-November 2009. Financial assistance covers proposals for assistance to sports persons for training abroad, proposals for infrastructure development, procurement of sports equipments etc.

REVISION IN PROCEDURE FOR SPECIAL CASH AWARDS TO AVOID DELAYS:

The Scheme of Special Cash Awards to winners of medals in international sports events and their coaches has now been streamlined to ensure timely sanction and release of cash awards.

RE-DESIGNING OF THE STATUETTES AND TROPHIES FOR NATIONAL SPORTS AWARDS :

The statuettes for the Arjuna Award, Dronacharya Award, Dhyan Chand Award and Tenzing Norgay Adventure Award have been redesigned in an aesthetic and contemporary design, while retaining the traditional symbolism, to depict the human aspiration for excellence and achievement embodied in the sporting endeavor. The President of India conferred the re-designed statuettes, trophies and medals upon the awardees on 29th August 2009.

AWARD MONEY OF NATIONAL SPORTS & ADVENTURE AWARDS ENHANCED:

The award money for the National Sports & Adventure Awards has been enhanced. The award money has been increased to Rs. 7.5.lakh from Rs. 5 lakh for the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award; to Rs. 5 lakh from Rs. 3 lakh for the Arjuna Award, Dronacharya Award, Dhyan Chand Award and Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Awards.  Besides, the Railway Ministry will provide 1st class/2nd AC complimentary passes to Arjuna Awardees, Dronacharya Awardees, Olympic Medallists, Asian Games and Commonwealth Games Gold medallists.

INCREASE IN FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO SUBROTO MUKHERJEE SPORTS EDUCATION SOCIETY :

The Sports Ministry has been providing assistance of Rs. 5 lakh every year to the Society under the Scheme of Assistance to National Sports Federations. Considering the popularity of the game of football and the Society’s efforts for organizing the Subroto Cup Tournaments, year after year successfully, involving inter-school teams, an additional assistance of Rs. 20 lakh was sanctioned. Further, the annual support to this event has been increased to Rs. 25 lakh from the earlier level of assistance of Rs. 5 lakh.  This higher support is expected to popularize the game football, especially with the school children, and spot prospective football players of eminence.

SELECTION PROCEDURE FOR MAKA TROPHY AWARD RATIONALIZED:

Maulana Abdul Kalam Azad (MAKA) Trophy is given to the top over-all winners of the Inter-University tournaments. A committee constituted by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU), recommends the award of the Trophy.

The existing guidelines for selection of MAKA Trophy which were framed in 1956-57, were in dire need of suitable revision to meet the changed scenario in the sports arena.  Some disputes also were arising between Universities over calculation of marks for selection of MAKA Trophy award under these guidelines.   Special interest taken by Sports Minister to resolve these issues, with a view to encourage sports at the junior level, resulted in a two-tier review mechanism, including eminent sports personalities, by exhaustively recasting the parameters.

ENGAGEMENT OF COACHES IN SAI :

There has been acute shortage of the coaches in the Sports Authority of India as no recruitment of coaches has been done since 1996. In view of the requirement of coaches in view of the preparations for the forthcoming international sports competitions viz, Commonwealth Games, 2010, Asian Games 2010 and London Olympics, 2012, Sports Minister approved an engagement of 100 coaches on contract basis. This will enable better training for the probables for the Games, as well as strengthen SAI training programmes.

SPORTS INFRASTRUCTURE PROPOSALS :

The exercise of prioritization of the infrastructure projects was undertaken. Synthetic hockey Turf at Jalandhar (Rs. 3.35 crore) , Synthetic Atheletic tracks at Patiala and Taran Taran (Rs. 4.93 crore) and Sythetic hockey turf at Sundergarh (Rs.2.90 crore) and Kolkata (Rs.2.50 crore) were sanctioned. Large Sports Hostels have been created at SAI centre , Bhopal. Play fields at Guru Nanak University have also been funded.

OPENING OF NORTH EAST CAMPUS OF LNUPE, GWALIOR :

To broad base sports education and give a fillip to the contributions of North Eastern States to sports, a North East Campus of Lakshmibai National University of Physical Education (LNUPE), Gwalior, has been opened at Guwahati, Assam, from the current academic year (i.e., 2009-10). Pending approval of Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the State Government of Assam for setting up the North East Campus, it has started functioning from Gwalior with a strength of 27 students (20 males & 7 females) in first year of  the four year integrated B.PEd (graduation degree).  The standards and methods of selection of candidates for admission to the NER campus are the same as those being adopted for selection to the seats in the main Gwalior campus of LNUPE. Soon after signing of MoU with the State of Assam, the Campus will be shifted to Guwahati and the total strength of the NER Campus will rise to 200 seats within the next four years.This will make available a quality human development resource available to the people of the North-eastern region of India.

NATIONAL PLAYING FIELDS ASSOCIATION OF INDIA (NPFAI):

The National Playing Fields Association of India (NPFAI) was formed as a registered society in February 2009, with the main objective to develop, promote and protect playing fields and open spaces in the country.  With the objective of establishing a strategic partnership involving collaborative arrangements and benefiting from the experience of a body which has been in existence for more than 80 years and has been quite successful in meeting with its objectives, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has been signed between the NPFAI and the National Playing Fields Association of the United Kingdom on 18th of August 2009.  The NPFA UK, now known as Fields in Trust (FIT), has over 80 years of history, during which it has contributed greatly to give greater statutory protection to playing fields and outdoor recreational land.  FIT team visited Delhi in September 2009 and made an assessment of playing fields and open spaces in the city,with the aim to select and develop a few of them, as model grounds, using the professional and technical expertise of the FIT.   The objective is the reclaim and increase the recreational open spaces in urban areas, which are being lost by the youth of India.

COMMUNITY SPORTS FACILITIES AS PART OF LEGACY PLAN UNDER COMMONWEALTH GAMES, 2010, ESTABLISHED:

With the objective of benefiting the students and the community at the same time, a new initiative has been taken to establish community sports facilities in schools, colleges and government managed sports institutions. An amount of Rs. 15 crore under Legacy Plan of Commonwealth Games, 2010 has been earmarked to establish the community sports facilities in the National Capital Region (NCR).

Fund earmarked are being utilized for creation/upgradation of sports infrastructure in various schools, colleges and sports complexes in and around Delhi. These facilities include laying of synthetic surface for Tennis, Basketball courts, Hockey fields, construction of Swimming pools and procurement of fitness equipment etc. This initiative is expected to boost the development of sports, games and physical education programmes of schools, colleges etc and at the same time benefit the communities after school hours, weekends and holidays.

CONVERGENCE OF PYKKA WITH OTHER SCHEMES:

PYKKA scheme encourages convergence with different Central and States scheme for meeting its objective. The scheme specifically suggests that funding from National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) should be tapped for undertaking labour intensive work such as land leveling for the development of playfields.  The Ministry of Rural Development has agreed in principle agreed to include activity of development of play fields, construction of mini stadia in selected districts etc., among others, under the NREGA Scheme. This will help dovetailing of different Central schemes for better utilization of funds, as well as improved outcomes.

Important Initiatives of Department of Youth Affairs

YOUTH FESTIVAL FOR NORTH EASTERN REGIONS, INSTITUTED:

With a view to improve inclusiveness of the youth of the north-eastern States of India with the national mainstream, Minister took the initiative to launch a North East Youth Festival. The first festival was organized at Kohima from 8th to 10th of October, 2009 with the theme, ‘Youth & Creativity’. The aim of the festival was to provide an opportunity to young people to gain an exposure and appreciate the rich cultural Heritage of the Northern region.

NEW YOUTH HOSTELS INAUGURATED:

Youth Hostels are built to promote youth travel within the country. These Youth Hostels provide good accommodation for youth at reasonable rates. Two new Youth hostels at Ooty, Tamil Nadu and Tarn Taran Punjab have been inaugurated during 2009.

MEGA SUMMER CAMP FOR NSS VOLUNTEERS INTRODUCED:

In an effort to make NSS more attractive to the youth and also to improve their overall personality development, a Mega Summer Camp and Adventure Camps has been introduced in the NSS for the first time

RAJIV GANDHI ADVENTURE SCHEME STARTED FOR NSS VOLUNTEERS:

Under Rajiv Gandhi Adventure Scheme, launched on 26th of June, 2009, several Youth Camps will be conducted  all over the country from the Himalayan region in the north to Kunnoor and Thekkadi in the south of India. The first Camp was launched on 28th of June,2009 which was attended by 1000 volunteers. The objective of the Scheme is to promote leadership qualities, team sprit and adventure amongst the volunteers.

SPECIAL PROGRAMME FOR GIRLS, IN BORDER DISTRICTS, RE-INTRODUCED:

The short term Vocational Training Programme for rural youth, which were highly beneficial for rural youth, had been discontinued earlier. Recognising the constructive potential of the programme for rural youth, especially the girls, vocational training programmes have been re-introduced.Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS)has been permitted to utilize their own programme budget of Rs. 1.0 crore for the purpose. In 2008-09, the programme was implemented in 100 districts, selected from border areas, tribal & hilly districts, in the country, on part funding by NYKS & part payment basis, by the girl trainees. This has now been made annual activity of NYKS.

PROMOTION OF SPORT CLUBS IN RURAL AREAS:

A programme has been initiated to provide financial assistance through NYKS, to 100 sports clubs, in each district for purchase of sports material, and conducting village games. This will create interest among youth club members to sports and games in villages. These Sports Clubs will work as a nursery for sporting talent, under National Rural Sports Programme, called PYKKA, being implemented by the ministry. For the current financial year 2009-10,  budget provisions of Rs. 5 Crore has been made to provide financial assistance to 50018 youth clubs.

INCREASE OF HONORARIUM FOR NATIONAL SERVICE VOLUNTEERS:

The Ministry engages about 7000 National Service Volunteers (NSVs) under National Service Volunteer  scheme and 6,000 Nehru Yuva Sathees (NYSs) under Rashtriya Sadbhawana Yojna in 623 District Nehru Yuva Kendras across the country.  These volunteers are given extensive training for working in field of Youth Development and Community Welfare.  The volunteers are being engaged in organisation of NYKS programmes .The services of these volunteers are also utilized for National & State level Awareness programmes i.e. Polio eradication, AIDS awareness, Voters awareness, Environmental awareness etc.    The volunteers are also engaged for the awareness and assistance in the implementation of various social welfare schemes of the State Governments. As and when required the volunteers render their services for the relief work during disasters and natural calamities. These NSVs were paid a paltry honorarium. The honorarium of NSVs has been doubled to Rs. 2,000/- per month.  An additional amount of Rs. 500/- per month to meet their travel expense, within their work area, is also being given. This will motivate rural youth, to work as NSV as social engineers in rural areas.

Source : Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports – PIB release