1. Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award

The spectacular and most outstanding performances in the field of sports by the sportspersons in a year (April 1 to March 31) are honoured with the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award. There is only one award every year which is given either to an individual sportsperson or to more than one person in case to team events. If a team is selected for the Award, all the members of the team get the Award. The Selection Committee will have no discretion to select only a few members of the team for the Award. This will disrupt the team spirit.
However, if in the opinion of the Selection Committee, there is no performance deserving this award in a particular year, it may not be given in that year.
The Award consists of the following:

(1) A cash amount of Rs.3 lakh exempt from Income Tax and Wealth Tax in the year in which it is disbursed. In case the Award is given to more than one sportsperson of the team event, the amount will be Rs.50,000/- for each.
(2) A scroll of honour to each sportsperson.
(3) One plaque to each sportsperson.
Every sportsperson selected for this Award will be provided a blazer, a tie/scarf, reimbursement of TA / DA at the rates decided by the Ministry for coming to Delhi to receive the Award ceremoniously.
The amount of Award is given either in cash or in the form of Units, Saving Certificates or otherwise, as decided by the Government.
The achievements in the sports disciplines, which are included in Olympics, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, and in Billiards & Snooker and Chess only are eligible for consideration for this Award.
The objectives of the award can be briefed as follows:
(i) To honour the sportspersons to enhance their general status in society and also to give them greater dignity and a place of honour in society.
(ii) To motivate the sportspersons to give their highest performance in sports events.
(iii) To intensify the spread of sports culture throughout the country.

Proposals for Award

The proposal for the Award should be submitted every year by the 31st of May, for the preceding year ending on 31st March, for consideration of the Ministry, on the proforma given at Annexure-I. In case the application is received after 31st May, it will not be considered for that year and will not be carried forward to the next year. Proposals may be sent to the Ministry by Members of Parliament, State Governments, Sports Authority of India or National Sports Federations. The full details of achievements of the sportspersons at national and international level should be mentioned. The proposal must invariably be accompanied by application form on the prescribed proforma. If this is not done, or if the application is incomplete, it may not be considered.
On receipt of the duly completed application in the Ministry, it will be referred to SAI/National Sports Federation to verify and certify that the sports achievements mentioned therein are factually correct, or otherwise.
However the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports retain the right to further investigate and examine the sports achievements of an applicant for consideration of their candidature for this Award.
The Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports will constitute a Committee of eminent sportspersons/sports administrators of longstanding and unimpeachable integrity for considering these applications and for taking a final decision on the Award. The decision of this Committee shall be final and binding on all and cannot be challenged in any Court of Law.
General
1. This Award will be in addition to any other award of the Ministry or otherwise, which may be available to sportspersons for same achievements.
2. This Award will be given to a person only once in his lifetime.
3. Canvassing for the Award in any form is prohibited. Anybody found so canvassing in his favour may be debarred from consideration.
4. The Award can be given posthumously. In that event, the cash and other things will be given to the legal heirs of the honoured sportsperson(s).
Annulment and Cancellation of Award
The Award may be cancelled in case it is found that it has been obtained by practice of fraud or misrepresentation. It can be annulled/withdrawn for valid and sufficient reasons on the ground that the Awardees have not conducted himself honourably subsequent to the date of the conferment of the Award. The Committee would take this decision.
In the event of annulment/cancellation/withdrawal of the Award, a simple notification by the Ministry to that effect will be proper and sufficient. The cash and other honours given as part of the Award, however, shall not be taken back, nor the Awardees or legal heirs be compelled to refund the same.
The annulment/cancellation/withdrawal cannot be disputed in any Court of Law and the decision of the Ministry shall be final and binding.
All the same, the Government shall have the right to restore the Award after the annulment/cancellation/withdrawal, if it so deems fit.

Form of Application for Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award

2. Sports Fund for Pension to Meritorious Sportspersons

This is one of the most important schemes of the Government of India in the realm of sports. It has been designed to give lifetime assistance in the form of a pension, to those talented sportspersons who have proved themselves in international competitions. The need for assured monthly income through annuity for outstanding sportspersons has become imperative due to the fact that sportspersons spend prime of their youth in pursuit of intensive training, sacrificing other beneficial opportunities normally available. The assured monthly income will be a compensation for the opportunities spurned by them in pursuit of their high ambition and achievement in sports.

Aims and Objectives

To provide incentive as well as an added measure of financial security to sportspersons in recognition of their outstanding performance in identified international competitions i.e Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games and Asian Games and World Cups/World Championships in Olympic and Asian Games disciplines.

Extent of Application

The Scheme will be applicable to sportspersons, who are Indian citizens and have won Gold, Silver or Bronze medals in Olympic Games or Gold medals in Asian Games and Commonwealth Games and medallist of the Word Cup/ World Championship.
The rate of monthly pension will be as follows:-

(a) Medallists at the Olympic Games Rs.2500/- p.m
(b) Gold medallists at the World Cups/World Championships in Olympic and Asian Games disciplines Rs.2500/- p.m
(c) Silver and Bronze medallist of the World Cups/ World Championships in Olympic and Asian Games disciplines. Rs.2000/- p.m
(d) Gold medallists of the Asian Games Rs.2000/- p.m
(e) Gold medallists of Commonwealth Rs.2000/- p.m

All payments will commence from the date of this Scheme coming into force. No arrears shall be payable for the period prior to that date.

A sportsperson availing the pension under this Scheme will not be deprived of financial benefits / scholarships/ ex-gratia / grants / service pay / and service pension or any other monetary benefit admissible to him/ her from any other source. Also any sportsperson availing any such benefit will not be deprived of the admissible pension under this scheme.

The pension is payable on attaining the age of 30 years by the sportspersons and will continue during his/ her life time.

Operation of the Scheme

The Scheme is operated through a Fund, named as “Sports Fund for Pension to Meritorious Sportspersons”. For the management and administration of the Fund, a General Committee is constituted consisting of the following members, namely:

(i) Ministry of State for Youth Affairs & Sports : Chairman
(ii) Secretary to the Govt. of India Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports : Member
(iii) Financial Adviser, Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports : Member
(iv) Director General, Sports Authority of India : Member
(v) President, Indian Olympic Association : Member
(vi) A representative of Life Insurance Corporation of India : Member
(vii) Joint Secretary, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports : MemberSecretary

Rules for the operation of the fund is framed by the General Committee and approved by the Government.

Source for Financing the Scheme
1. By contribution to the fund from National Welfare Fund for Sportspersons
2. By contribution and donations received from Private and Public Corporate Companies / Institutions.
3. Government Grant.

Specimen Application Form for Pension to Meritorious Sportspersons

3. Scheme for the Dhyan Chand Award for Life Time Achievement in Sports & Games
(New Scheme)

Objective

i) To honour those sportspersons who have contributed to sports by their performance and continue to contribute to promotion of sports even after their retirement from active sporting career.
ii) To motivate persons who have contributed their lifetime to sports and sports promotion.
iii) To encourage broad – basing, and development of excellence in sports culture in the country.

The Award

The Award consists of a plaque, a scroll of honour, ceremonial dress and a cash award of Rs.1.50 lakhs, which will be presented to the winners at the function for the presentation of the Award to be held at a place and on a date to be determined by the Govt. of India.
The Award will not be given for a second time to the same person. However the Award may be given posthumously if such an occasion arises.
The Government of India may cancel, annul the Award to any recipient and thereupon the recipient shall be required to surrender the plaque and the scroll of honour but it shall be competent for the Govt. of India to restore the Award once the cancellation and annulment has been withdrawn.
The decision of the Govt. of India in respect of matters covered by the scheme and of the interpretation of the provisions of the scheme shall be final and no appeal shall lie against them.
A person who is nominated for the Award shall be deemed to have accepted the provisions of the scheme.
Canvassing in any form in respect of an entry will render that entry liable to disqualification.Not more than three Awards will be given in a particular year subject to deserving sports person being available.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the Award, a sportsperson should have had not only good performance at national / international level for a period of 3 years or more but also should have continued to contribute to promotion of sports in his individual capacity even after his retirement from sporting career. A sportsperson should also have shown qualities of leadership, sportsmanship and sense of discipline. The awards will also be given to those persons and NGOs who have made sterling contribution to promotion of sports, specially in the field of broad-basing and development of excellence in sports over a period of 20 years or more.
However, sports persons found positive for use of drugs banned by the International Olympic Committee, in any laboratory accredited by International Olympic Committee will not be eligible for the Award.

Nominations

The nominations for the Award will be invited by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports from all recognized National Sports Federations recognized by the Govt. of India, Indian Olympic Association and State/ UT Governments in the month of January each year. Last date for the receipt of nominations will be 31st May of the same year. The National Sports Federations recognized by the Govt. of India, the Indian Olympic Association and the State/UT Governments may nominate more than one and up to three names in a particular discipline/ sports in a particular year.
The Award will be made in respect of the calendar year for which the applications are invited.
The nominations will be sent to the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports in the prescribed proforma attached with the application form giving the past performance of the nominated sportspersons in International competitions.

Scrutiny of Nomination

All Nominations received from the organization will be sent to the Executive Director (Teams), Sports Authority of India and concerned National Sports Federations by 15th June who will verify and confirm from official records the achievements/ performance of all nominated sportspersons within a maximum period of one month of receipt of the nominations from the Ministry.

Procedure for Selection

The Award will be decided by a Selection Committee constituted by the Govt. of India. The Selection Committee constituted every year by the Government will comprise of a Chairperson and twelve members distinguished in the field of sports. The Chairperson must be a sportsperson of eminence. The Director/ Dy. Secretary (Sports), Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports will be the Member-Secretary of the Selection Committee.
1. Sportsperson of eminence Chairperson
2. Olympians of eminence from different disciplines 5 members
3. Arjuna Awardees from different disciplines 4 members
4. Sports Administrators 2 members
5. Director/ Dy. Secretary (Sports)Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports Government of India Member Secretary

The Selection Committee

The Chairperson, in consultation with Member Secretary, may constitute panels from amongst the members of the Committee to assist the Committee. He may seek advice of experts in specific sports disciplines wherever necessary. Any person directly or indirectly associated with a sportsperson nominated for the Awards will not be eligible to serve on the Committee. The quorum for the meeting of the Committee is 75% of the members of the Committee and the Chairperson.The Committee selects the Award winners by consensus failing which by a majority decision and gives its report to the Government of India within one month of reference. The Executive Director (TEAMS), Sports Authority of India will be present at the time of deliberations of the Committee in order to provide information / clarifications, if any, required by the Committee. All the Selection proceedings will be treated as “Confidential”. The Chairperson may take necessary steps in consultation with the Member Secretary to maintain strict confidentiality of the deliberations and selection made by the Committee.

4. Scheme for the Arjuna Awards for Outstanding Performance in Sports and Games

Objective

The objective of the Awards is to recognize outstanding achievement of sportspersons in the field of sports at international level.

The Award

The Award will consist of a statuette, a scroll of honour, ceremonial dress, and a cash Award of Rs.3.00 lakhs which will be presented to the winners at the function for the presentation of the Award to be held at a place and on a date to be decided by the Government of India.
No Award will be made for a second time to the same person.
The Award may be given posthumously if such an occasion arises.
The Government of India may cancel, annul the Award of any recipient for specific reasons and, thereupon, the recipient shall be required to surrender the statuette and the scroll of honour but it shall be competent for the Government of India to restore the Award once the cancellation and annulment has been withdrawn.
The decision of the Government of India in respect of matters covered by the Scheme and of the interpretation of the provisions of this scheme shall be final and no appeal shall lie against them.
Canvassing in any form in respect of an entry will render that entry liable to disqualification.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the Award, a sportsperson should have had not only good performance consistently for the previous three years at the International level with excellence for the year for which the Award is recommended but also should have shown qualities of leadership, sportsmanship and a sense of discipline. However, sports persons found positive for use of drugs banned by the International Olympic Committee in any laboratory accredited by International Olympic Committee will not be eligible for Arjuna Award.
The Government will only consider conferring Arjuna Award in the disciplines falling under following categories:-
a) Olympic Games / Asian Games/ Commonwealth Games / World Cup / World Championship disciplines and cricket.
b) Indigenous Games
c) Sports for Physically challenged

Nomination

The nominations for the Award will be invited by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports from all recognized National Sports Federations recognized by the Government of India, Indian Olympic Association and State/UT Governments in the month of January each year. Last date for the receipt of nominations will be 31st May of the same year. The National Sports Federations recognized by the Government of India, the Indian Olympic Association and the State/UT Governments may nominate more than one and up to three names in a particular discipline / sport in a particular year. The Award will be made in respect of the calendar year for which the applications are invited. The nominations will be sent to the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports in the prescribed proforma giving the performance of the nominated sportspersons in international competitions for the previous three years and for the year of the Award.

Scrutiny of Nomination

All nominations received from the organizations will be sent to the Executive Director (TEAMS), Sports Authority of India and concerned National Sports Federations by 15th June who will verify and confirm from official records the achievements/ performance of all nominated sportspersons within a maximum period of one month of receipt of the nominations from the Ministry.

Procedure for Selection

The Award will be decided by a Selection Committee constituted by the Government of India. The Selection Committee will be constituted every year by the Government. The Committee will comprise of a Chairperson and twelve members distinguished in the field of sports as indicated below. The Chairperson must be a sportsperson of eminence. The Director / Deputy Secretary (Sports), Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports will be the Member Secretary of the Committee.

1. Sportsperson of eminence - Chairperson
2. Olympians of eminence from different disciplines - 5 Members
3. Arjuna Awardees from different disciplines - 4 Members
4. Sports Administrators - 2 Members
5. Director/ Deputy Secretary (Sports), Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports Government of India - Member- Secretary

The Selection Committee

The Chairperson, in consultation with Member Secretary, may constitute panels from amongst the members of the Committee to assist the Committee. He may seek advice of experts in specific sports disciplines wherever necessary. Any person directly or indirectly associated with a sportsperson nominated for the Awards will not be eligible to serve on the Committee.The quorum for the meeting of the Committee is 75% of the members of the Committee and the Chairperson. The Committee shall select the Award winners by consensus failing which by a majority decision and give its report to the Government of India within one month of reference. The Executive Director (TEAMS), Sports Authority of India will be present at the time of deliberations of the Committee in order to provide information/ clarifications, if any, required by the Committee.
All the selection proceedings will be treated as “Confidential”. Chairperson may take necessary steps in consultation with Member Secretary to maintain strict confidentiality of the deliberations and selection made by the Committee.

Number of Arjuna Awards to be given in a Year

Ordinarily not more than one Award will be given in each discipline in a particular year subject to deserving sports persons being available. Provided that in the year succeeding Asian Games and Commonwealth Games an exception could be made for a second award being given to a sportsperson in those disciplines, in which more than five medals have been won in Asian / Commonwealth Games as the case may be. However, not more than 15 awards could be given in any calendar year.

5. Scheme for Dronacharya Award for Outstanding Coaches in Sports and Games

Objectives

The Award is intended to:
(i) Honour coaches who have done outstanding and meritorious work on a consistent basis and enabled sports persons to excel in international events; and
(ii) Motivate coaches to dedicate themselves with a singularity of purpose of raising the standard of sports persons to highest performance in international events and thus bring glory to the country.

The Award

The Award comprise of a plaque, a scroll of honour, ceremonial dress, and a cash prize of Rs.3,00,000/- (Rupees three lakhs) which is presented to the winners at the function for the presentation of the Award. No Award will be made for a second time to the same person. The Award may be given posthumously if such an occasion arises. The Government of India may cancel or annul the Award of any recipient for specific reasons and, thereupon, the recipient shall be required to surrender the scroll of honour but it shall be competent for the Government of India to restore the Award once the cancellation and annulment has been withdrawn. The decision of the Government of India in respect of matters covered by this Scheme and of the interpretation of the provisions of this scheme shall be final and no appeal shall lie against them. A person who is recommended for the Award shall be deemed to have accepted the provisions of the Scheme. Canvassing in any form in respect of an entry will render that entry liable to disqualification.
Ordinarily not more than 5 awards are given in any calendar year.

Sports Disciplines covered

The Dronacharya Awards are given to eligible coaches who produce outstanding results in:

(a) Different Olympic sports disciplines
(b) Sports disciplines recognized by the Government of India in the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and
(c) Indigenous sports recognized by Government under extant rules.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the award, a coach, whether he/she works full time or part time as coach, should have produced outstanding achievement in the year for which the award is given and consistently very good achievements during the three years previous to the year of the award. A Coach should also have directly coached the team or individual sports person for at least two years prior to the relevant competition. A coach found encouraging or conniving at the use of drugs banned by the International Olympic Committee by a sports person whom he is coaching, will not be eligible for the Dronacharya Award.
The achievement of a coach to be eligible for the award shall be judged as follows:
(a)Individual Events:
A coach shall be eligible who produces a sportsperson:
(i) who wins any medal i.e., gold/silver/ bronze in the Olympic Games, World Championships, World Cup Tournaments for Olympic disciplines; or
(ii) who wins any medal i.e., gold/silver/bronze in the World Cup or World Championships in non-Olympic disciplines; or
(iii) who creates a world record which is ratified by the concerned international sports federation; or
(iv) who wins two gold medals in either Asian Games or the Commonwealth Games; or
(v) who wins three gold medals in Asian Championships or commonwealth Championships.
A National Coach who brings up a contingent of sportspersons which gives in individual events a performance better than that compared to the previous best as judged by the tally of medals (gold and total) won whether in the Olympic Games, World Championships, Commonwealth Games, Commonwealth Championships, Asian Games and Asian Championships.
(b) Team Events:
A coach shall be eligible if he/she is responsible for training team, which win:
(i) Any medal; gold, silver or bronze in the Olympic Games, World Cup or World Championships in Olympic or non-Olympic disciplines, provided that the performance is either better or equal to the best performance achieved earlier; or
(ii) 2 gold medals – one in Asian Games and another in Asian Championships held earlier or later; or
(iii) 2 gold medals – one in Asian Games and the other in Commonwealth Games held either earlier or later.

Nominations

The nominations for the Award will be invited by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports from all recognized National Sports Federations recognized by the Government of India, Indian Olympic Association and State/UT Governments in the month of January each year. Last date for the receipt of nominations will be 31st May of the same year. The National Sports Federations recognized by the Government of India, the Indian Olympic Association and the State / UT Governments may nominate more than one and up to three names in a particular year.
The Award will be made in respect of the calendar year for which the applications are invited. The nominations will be sent to the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports in the prescribed proforma giving the achievements of the coaches in international competitions for the previous three years and for the year of the Award.

Scrutiny of Nomination

All nominations received from the organizations will be sent to the Executive Director (TEAMS), Sports Authority of India and concerned National Sports Federations by 15th June who will verify the achievements / performance of all nominated coaches within a maximum period of one month of receipt.

Procedure for Selection

A Selection Committee constituted by the Government of India will decide the Award. The Government will constitute the Selection Committee every year. The Committee will comprise of a Chairperson and twelve members distinguished in the field of sports. The Chairperson must be a sportsperson of eminence. The Director/ Deputy Secretary (Sports), Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports will be the Member-Secretary of the Committee.

(i) Sportsperson of eminence - Chairperson
(ii) Olympians of eminence from different disciplines - 5 Members
(iii) Dronacharya Awardees from different disciplines - 4 Members
(iv) Sports Administrators - 2 Members
(v) Director/Deputy Secretary (Sports) Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports - Member- Secretary

The Selection Committee

The Chairperson in consultation with Member-Secretary may constitute panels from amongst the members of the Committee to assist the Committee. The Chairperson may seek advice of experts in specific sports disciplines wherever necessary. Any person directly or indirectly associated with the coach nominated for the Awards shall not be eligible to serve on the Committee. The quorum for the meeting of the Committee is 75% of the members of the Committee and the Chairperson.
The Committee will select the Award winners by consensus failing which by a majority decision and give its report to the Government of India within one month of reference. The Executive Director (TEAMS), Sports Authority of India will be present at the time of deliberations of the Committee in order to provide information/clarifications, if any, required by the Committee. All the selection proceedings will be treated as “Confidential” The Chairperson may take necessary steps in consultation with the Member-Secretary to maintain strict confidentiality of the deliberations and selection made by the Committee.

6. Scheme Of States Sports Academy
(New Scheme)

Basic Concept

The growing role of sports in the society, media attention, national honour and international prestige, have made participation and winning of medals in competitive sports a matter of great significance. In recognition of this fact many countries have started to setup national training academies and specialized centers of sports excellence which offer an opportunity for exceptionally talented young children to train under experts for long duration with modern training aids.

Lack of adequate resources and technical expertise has often resulted in failure of schemes. The success of any scheme depends on varied inputs from many quarters. Expertise in the field of finance, marketing and sports coaching etc. are also essential inputs for success. Keeping this in view, the concept of Sports Academy has been visualized as a co-operative venture between the Central Government, State Government and sponsors from pubic and private sectors.

The philosophy behind this movement appears to be common throughout the world. Any one showing above average ability is spotted during childhood and is encouraged to attend regular coaching session lasting several months over successive academic years in an environment designed to improve personal performance and prepare the athlete mentally for future events both in the long and short term. Playing conditions are not only created as close to the ideal as possible but are also further backed up by an impressive range of ancillary facilities including body monitoring laboratories, specialized conditioning equipment bio-mechanical testing apparatus and well provided residential facilities.

This is a far cry, one may feel, from the attitudes, which existed 20 years ago, but essential in the field of top class competition today. The results speak for themselves. Individual performances have improved beyond barriers, previously considered impossible and correct training over long period has taken national terms to the forefront of international supremacy.

Why an Academy

Adolescence is the most appropriate time for introducing specific muscular and endurance training methods. This is also the age when playing skills are easily imbibed by the trainees and which contribute towards relative improvement in strength and cardio muscular fitness that cannot be achieved in later life. Research has established that the average age of an Olympic Champion is getting reduced with each passing year and is, presently, in early twenties. This fact stresses the need for tip quality training to be made available at an early stage. In the existing sports scenario in India, attention on talented sports persons often gets focussed only after he has passed these formative years, a stage from where no phenomenal growth is possible. The concept of the Academy is to select the best available potential in sports between 10-13 years of age and scientifically groom them over years of Secondary and Sr. Secondary School and carry the proven and tested potential to college level.

Aims & Objectives

1. To bring glory to India in the field of sports and to inspire the youth to achieve excellence in sports.
2. To Provide a vast resources pool of highly skilled sports persons at the national level
3. To prepare a long term plan and produce international players by sustained scientific training from a very young age.
4. To ensure that the programme of excellence development is sustained through regular inputs from junior and sub-junior streams
5. To Provide specialized sports training with adequate academic support to attract the best talent
6. To provide international exposure for the development of match temperament and acquaintance with latest skills and strategies
7. To evolve an educational process to develop sport as a career
8. To develop awareness regarding the importance of sport for all round development of an individual
9. To obtain medals for India at the International Sports events

Selection of Potential

To obtain excellence in sports, it is necessary to begin training at a proper age along with necessary sports science back up i.e. Physiology, Psychology, sports training, sports medicine etc.

The age of 10-13 years is a period of rapid acceleration in the natural growth and the ideal time to start training. Therefore, at this age those having excellent physique, potential and an ideal aptitude for sports can be chosen after organizing competitions and a scientifically developed battery of tests.

Admission to the Academies will also be given to top performers in State/National competitions (position holders in individual games and winners and runners up in team games) in the age group of 10-18 years after age verification and medical examination

Scientific Support

In order to evolve players of international repute, it is necessary to train them on scientific lines. An ideal combination of sports sciences back-up to a sports person should include sports medicine, sports psychology, science of body movements etc. A sports science cell will be set up in each Academy for planning and implementing the process of development of a trainee in a scientific way so that a proper evaluation can be carried out at various stages ad corrective action and endurance enhancing measures can be taken. From the beginning, focus will be on developing the quality of leadership teamwork, confidence, concentration and a killer instinct. Besides, proper guidance on food and rest will also imparted.

Disciplines

The academy will have one major discipline out of the following four: Athletics, Football, Hockey (Men & Women) and Wrestling. Another discipline could be from the priority/ non-priority area, as the case may be which would be of help in promoting the proficiency of selected sports persons in the selected major disciplines

Methodology

For competitive and effective training in team disciplines, the number of trainees should be such as to form minimum two teams. In individual disciplines minimum strength will be 15.

Linkage with Centre of Excellence Scheme

The trainees who complete the training in the Academies and have potential for further advancement will be admitted to the Centres of Excellence in the Regional Centres of SAI where they will be provided with advanced training enabling them to reach international standards. For this purpose infrastructure and equipment in the Regional Centres will be up- graded to be at par with international standards. From the Centre of Excellence, they may be selected for national teams for participation at international events, thereby a proper channel will be created for training sports persons, from raw talent, to highly skilled and motivated individuals.

Provision of Coaches

Coaches with proper experience and aptitude to handle young and talented sports persons will be provided. Number of coaches for each discipline will depend upon the number of trainees in each category of boys and girls as per norms at Annexure-I.

Academic Facilities

There should be adequate facilities for pursuit of academics in good schools and colleges near the Academy. The schools in which the Academy students are admitted may be linked with the NSTC Scheme of SAI.

Monitoring

In order to monitor the performance of the trainees of the academies, the scientific set up at the regional level has to be strengthened. Once in every quarter, the progress in physical and skill training in sports is to be monitored at the Academy with the assistance of Regional Centres of SAI and in consultation with the coaches. On the basis of result of the scientific tests, the coaches must design their training schedules. By the end of each academic year, the performance of the trainees is to be reviewed by an Assessment Committee and the trainees who do not attain the desired level of expertise will be weeded out. The complete exercise of performance evaluation will be completed before the end of each Academic session so as to avoid inconvenience to the trainees in seeking admission in other schools. The Assessment Committee will be headed by the Regional Director SAI and comprise of concerned coaches, experts, national & international level players, Arjuna Awardess of that area, incharge of the Academy and the scientific faculty and the principal of the concerned school attended by the trainees.

Scope

A Sports academy will be established in every State/U.T. For setting up an Academy minimum 10 acres of the land, if the same is in an urban area, and about 20 acres in rural areas will be made available free of cost either by the State Government/UT Administration or a sponsor i.e. Public / Private sector undertaking or an NGO or an individual free of cost.

Eligibility

The grant can only be availed of by the following sponsors :

(i) Public/Private sector Undertaking
(ii) Individual sponsor
(iii) NGOs

The grant will be released on the recommendations of the State Govt / UT Administration only.

Proposal

A sponsor can apply for setting up a Sports Academy in a State. A proposal for establishing an Academy will, however, be submitted through the State Government/UT Administration accompanied by all required documents in the prescribed form given in Annexure-II. The State Government/UT Administration will certify the availability of land for the academy free of cost.

Financial Assistance

The Central Government, State Government/UT Administration and a sponsor will fund the scheme jointly. The financial assistance to the Academy in respect of capital, recurring and non-recurring costs will be shared between the sponsor, Central Government and the State Government in the ratio of 51:25:24 subject to the Central Government contribution being restricted to (i) a maximum of Rs. 218 lakhs or 25% of the capital/non-recurring cost whichever is less and (ii) recurring grant being restricted to 25% of actual recurring cost subject to maximum of Rs. 17 lakhs per annum for a period of three years. Expenditure on foreign exposure will be borne according to the norms laid down under the Scheme of Assistance to National Sports Federations.

Facilities

Only one Sports Academy in each State/UT will be assisted under this scheme. Wherever facilities are already available, financial assistance will be restricted to the missing components required for establishing a Sports Academy.

Recurring & Non-Recurring Costs

The scale on which the costs have been calculated are given in Annexure-III.

Conditions For Sanction of Grants

Grants will be sanctioned for setting up a Sports Academy where only the availability of funds required over and above the admissible Central assistance for completion of the project, is assured and tied up to the satisfaction of the Union Government. The share of the sponsor shall be required to be spent first fully before the release of assistance by Central and State Governments.

Release of Grants

All grants shall be released directly to the sponsor through the office of the Pay and Accounts Officer in the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports in one or more installments as decided by the Government from time to time. The next installment shall be released only after the Progress Report and Utilization certificates in respect of the previous installment of assistance have been received in the prescribed progress as per Annexure-IV & V through the respective State Government/UT administration. The utilization Certificate may be signed by an authorized signatory of the sponsor and a State Government Officer not below the rank of a Deputy Secretary to the State Government and it must show the total expenditure as also the investment of the State Government and sponsors. Progress Report should indicate, interalia, the items of work completed, partly completed/incomplete and the anticipated expenditure likely to be incurred on the completion of all the incomplete items of work.

So far as sanction of grant for recurring costs are concerned, the Central Government share will be released on the basis of Audit Certificates/Audited statement of Accounts of the Academy issued by a competent auditor appointed by the management of the Academy. The entire central assistance against recurring costs will be released in two half yearly installments.

Completion Certificate

After completion of the work, a completion certificate as per Annexure-VI from an Engineer should be sent together with the Statement of Accounts of the total expenditure incurred. The last installment roughly amounting to 10 per cent of the grant will be released after the receipt of the completion certificate.

The grant under this scheme shall be sanctioned on the terms and conditions appended vide Annexure-VII, which are not negotiable at any stage. In the event of violation of these terms and conditions, the grant disbursed may be called up. In case of refusal to refund, it may be recovered as arrears of land revenue by due process of law.

Management

The Academy will be registered as a Society under the Societies Registration At of the State and will be set up and managed by the Sponsor. There will be an Executive Committee comprising representatives of the sponsor, one representative of the Central Government and one of the State Government. Besides, the Executive Committee may also include representatives of National Sports Federations and State Sports Association of the concerned lead disciplines, outstanding sports persons and Arjuna Awardees from the State in related disciplines

A formal agreement may be signed with the sponsor setting forth the terms and conditions on which the sponsor shall be associated with the Academy and sponsor’s rights and liabilities – financial and others towards/against the Academy which will be a separate entity i.e. a society registered under the Societies Registration Act.