The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has issued the operational guidelines for the revised Scheme of Assistance to National Sports Federations (NSFs), which include revised norms of assistance for various components of the Scheme, following the Government’s approval for continuation of the Scheme for the period 2026-27 to 2030-31 (16th Finance Commission Cycle) at a total outlay of ₹7,386.74 crore.

The Scheme is the principal mechanism for supporting India’s athletes in preparation for major international events such as the Olympic Games, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, Paralympic Games and World Championships.

The Scheme provides support for the conduct of National coaching camps, training in academies and athlete support including boarding, lodging, sports kits, insurance and sports science services, engagement of foreign coaches, High Performance Directors and support personnel such as physiotherapists, sports scientists and doctors, Foreign exposure through international training and competitions, conduct of Senior, Junior and Sub-Junior National Championships, Grassroots and junior athlete development and administrative and governance support to NSFs.

In the revised Scheme, several new strategic components have been included, aligning with India’s long-term sporting vision and preparations for the 2036 Olympic bid and Commonwealth Games 2030.

Enhancement in amount of assistance for hosting international sports events: Under the revised Scheme, there is a substantive enhancement in the financial assistance for hosting international tournaments in India. Now, financial support up to Rs. 50 crore can be provided to NSFs for hosting an international event, depending upon the nature and importance of the event, number of participating countries and athletes. Proposals of NSFs will be assessed by a designated Committee headed by Secretary (Sports).

Training at Olympic Training Centres: Presently, coaching/training of the athletes preparing for mega-international sporting events, including Olympics, is done at National Centres of Excellence (NCOEs), academies and private sports facilities, as well as in foreign training facilities. To provide specialised training of high standards, Olympic Training Centres (OTCs) equipped with the latest sports science equipment are being planned to be set up, and these centres will be dedicated to one sport, having the best modern training facilities and experts, which will reduce the reliance on overseas training of Indian athletes. The Indian elite athletes training at such OTCs will be supported towards coaches and technical staff, Sports science services, and specialized equipment and technical support.

Support for National Games: Taking into consideration the importance of the National Games and the need to organize them in a befitting manner and scale, provision has been made in the revised Scheme to provide assistance up to Rs. 50 crore for conduct of National Games towards sports equipment, Timing, Scoring and Result (TSR) services, remuneration to Technical officials and technical conduct.

Assistance to NSFs of indigenous sports for global outreach: For spreading global outreach of indigenous games, a component of support to NSFs of indigenous games has been included in the revised Scheme for assisting in efforts of NSFs for inclusion as demonstration events in global competitions like the Olympics, Asian Games or Commonwealth Games, in establishment of national federations in other countries across the world, providing requisite support to international federations/continental federations of indigenous sports having their offices in India etc.

International sports cooperation initiatives with Global South countries: India has High Performance Centres and training facilities, both at SAI Centres and non- SAI Centres, which can position the country as a leading partner for Global South by facilitating training of athletes and coaches by providing scholarships and subsidised use of facilities. Provision of assistance towards international cooperation has been included in the revised Scheme.

Support for sports competitions organized for multi-lateral bodies such as BRICS, BIMSTEC: Under the revised Scheme, provision of financial assistance for conduct of sports competitions, sport-related conferences, meetings, research works, workshops, organized for multi-lateral bodies such as BRICS, BIMSTEC and any other similar multi-lateral body has been included.

Support to recognized international/ continental bodies having offices in India: For supporting recognized international/continental bodies in India, the revised Scheme includes a component of funding to NSF/NOC for extending the required support on a case-to-case basis, as per the recommendation of the designated Committee headed by Secretary (Sports).

Please click on the link for more details: https://sports.yas.gov.in/public-file/guidelines/guidelines_20261016161054_21f5fbfc9465.pdf

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Ayushman Kumar

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