Key Highlights:

• The objectives of the scheme are implemented through Sports Authority of India (SAI) and the selected Universities/Institutes/Medical Colleges across the country and a net amount of Rs.62.61 Cr has been released since inception of the scheme.

The scheme of National Centre of Sports Sciences and Research (NCSSR) of the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports aims to support high level research, education and innovation with respect to high performance of elite athletes.  The scheme has two components: (i) setting up of NCSSR centre and (ii) providing support (funding) for setting up of Sports Sciences Departments and Sports Medicine Departments in selected Universities/Institutes and Medical Colleges respectively. The objectives of the scheme are implemented through Sports Authority of India (SAI) and the selected Universities/Institutes/Medical Colleges across the country and a net amount of Rs.62.61 Cr has been released since inception of the scheme. Funds are not sanctioned/released state-wise. Further, review of the scheme takes place from time to time to achieve the desired objectives of the scheme.

Six Universities/Institutes and five Medical Colleges have been selected as on date for setting up of Sports Science Departments and Sports Medicine Departments under the NCSSR scheme throughout the country, based on selection criteria like accreditation, permanent faculty, publications/patents, requirement of funds, national/international cooperation as well as proposal and presentation made by them.

Besides the support given through the NCSSR scheme, this Ministry has adopted research-based selection criteria for elite athletes under the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) based on various research inputs like current performance, past performance, comparative data, global analysis, progression rate, etc. Also, the performance of athlete is monitored continuously vis-a`-vis scientifically set benchmarks for their progression. Further, under the National Sports Development Fund (NSDF), this Ministry provides block grants to SAI to meet the training needs of the athletes selected in the TOPS Core Group and Developmental Group. 

Aims and objectives of NCSSR Scheme:

•  Application of scientific principles to the promotion, maintenance and enhancement of sporting performance.

•  Developing athletes to their maximum potential and to prolong their competitive sporting career.

•  Dissemination of sports science information

•  Testing and Certification of food supplements/Indigenous preparations.

•  Application of Ayurvedic/Homeopathic Medicines in sporting performance.

•  Management and rehabilitation of sports injuries

Aims and Objectives of Educational Institutions funded under NCSSR Scheme:

•   To start M.Sc (Sports Sciences) in selected Universities and MD & Diploma in Sports Medicine (DSM) in Sports Medicine in selected Medical Colleges.

•   Performance enhancement of athletes through the use of Sports Science and Medicine.

•   Scientific support to sportspersons and Rehabilitation of Sports injuries to Sports person.

•   Basic and applied research in Sports Science and Sports Medicine.

•   It will help in increasing the trained manpower experts in Sports Sciences and Sports Medicine and will, in turn, reduce the dependency of the foreign experts.

This information was given by Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports Shri Anurag Thakur in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

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