Why the Sports Ministry is rethinking NSF funding and what it means for Indian sports
Why the Sports Ministry is rethinking NSF funding and what it means for Indian sports
The Sports Ministry has set up a six-member committee to review the financial assistance norms for National Sports Federations (NSFs), considering the evolving challenges and India’s bid to host the 2036 Olympics. Here’s what you need to know:
The committee will suggest revised norms for financial assistance provided to NSFs under the Scheme of Assistance to NSFs, keeping in mind the changing landscape of Indian sports and the country’s Olympic aspirations.
The committee is headed by Joint Secretary (Sports) Kunal and includes:
– Ritu Pathik (Executive Director, Teams)
– N S Johal (CEO, Target Olympic Podium Scheme)
– Commodore (Retd) PK Garg (Former TOPS CEO)
– Sahdev Yadav (President, Indian Weightlifting Federation and IOA Treasurer)
The last revision took place in February 2022. With the start of a new Olympic cycle, a review is necessary to ensure that the assistance aligns with emerging challenges and India’s sporting goals.
In the latest budget, NSFs have been allocated Rs 400 crore, a slight increase from Rs 340 crore last year. This funding supports activities like hosting tournaments, participation in international events, equipment purchases, and athlete training.
A graded funding system is being considered, where NSFs that fully comply with governance norms (as per the draft National Sports Bill) may receive their full share, while non-compliant federations could face funding cuts.
The bill, expected to be tabled in Parliament soon, includes provisions for:
– Establishing Ethics and Dispute Resolution Commissions for transparency
– Creating a Sports Regulatory Board to oversee NSFs and ensure governance compliance
IOA president PT Usha has raised concerns, arguing that it could be seen as government interference by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The matter remains under discussion.
This move comes months after India officially submitted a ‘Letter of Intent’ to host the 2036 Olympics, marking its first formal step towards the bid.
