The Minister of State (I/C) for Youth Affairs and Sports Shri Vijay Goel said in the Rajya Sabha today that the Ministry is implementing the Scheme of “National Welfare Fund for Sportspersons” for providing financial assistance to outstanding sportspersons of yesteryears, who had brought glory to the country in sports, but are now living in indigent circumstances. Under the Scheme, lump sum ex-gratia financial assistance is provided to outstanding sportspersons, whose annual income is less than Rs. 4.00 lakhs, or to their family members for medical treatment, improving their financial position etc.

In a written reply he said, the ministry is implementing the scheme of Pension to Meritorious Sportspersons under which lifelong pension is provided to medallists of Olympic Games, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, World Championships (in the disciplines of Olympic Games, Asian Games and Commonwealth Games) and Paralympics after they retire from active sports or attain the age of 30 years, whichever is later.

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