- Financial help under the Scheme of Assistance to National Sports Federations has been increased to support Indian athletes and sports federations.
- Required budget allocations for grassroots development and coach training introduced to nurture future sports talent.
- Higher salaries for coaches, increased dietary allowances for athletes, and appointments of High-Performance Directors and Coaching Education Experts to improve training quality.
Revise Scheme of Assistance to National Sports Federations offers more financial help and structured support to athletes and sports federations across India. This scheme aims to improve training facilities, encourage grassroots growth, and provide professional-quality coaching. It includes key changes made after the Paris Olympics 2024. Here, you can find detailed information about funding, coaching improvements, athlete welfare, and how sports leagues help promote talent.
Major Financial Improvements in the Revised NSF Assistance Scheme
Funding has been raised significantly to help National Sports Federations (NSFs) better train athletes and organize events. For example, financial help for conducting national championships has been increased to ₹90 lakh for High-Priority sports and ₹75 lakh for Priority sports. Also, support for hosting international tournaments in India has doubled to ₹2 crore. These changes reflect higher costs due to inflation and the need to boost competitiveness in global sports.
New Rules for Grassroots Development and Capacity Building
Understanding the need to nurture young talent and improve coaching skills, the updated scheme requires at least 20% of an NSF’s yearly budget to be spent on grassroots development through affiliate units. Also, at least 10% of the funding must be used for developing coaches and technical staff. These rules focus on the long-term growth of sports talent in India.
Increased Budgets for Competitions and Events
The financial help for national championships and international events has grown a lot. This lets NSFs hold high-quality competitions that help athletes improve and engage the public. The bigger budgets will give athletes more chances to compete nationally and internationally, raising India’s profile in sports.
Support for Athletes’ Nutrition and Welfare
New dietary allowances have been set to promote better nutrition for athletes. A dietary allowance of ₹10,000 per month will be given to each athlete in probable groups on non-camp days. Daily diet charges have increased to ₹1,000 for senior athletes and ₹850 for junior athletes. Also, coaches’ salaries have gone up — the Chief National Coach now earns ₹7.5 lakh per month, up from ₹5 lakh, and other coaches get ₹3 lakh per month, up from ₹2 lakh, highlighting their important role in athlete success.
Helping Coaches and Technical Staff
To raise training standards, NSFs must appoint dedicated Coaching Education Experts to train and develop trainers. Foreign experts will also help build the skills of local officials and coaches during non-training times. Plus, NSFs with annual budgets of ₹10 crore or more must now appoint a High-Performance Director (HPD) who will design and monitor technical development programs within their sport. These steps aim to improve the quality of coaching and athlete preparedness.
Role of Sports Leagues in Talent Scouting and Promotion
Sports leagues in Cricket, Football, Rugby, Volleyball, Kho-Kho, and Basketball play an important role in finding and nurturing grassroots talent. These leagues boost regional representation and encourage private sector partnerships and sponsorships, expanding opportunities for athletes and supporting sports inclusiveness nationwide. Programs like the Khelo India Women’s League, active in 29 sports, further support talent promotion and inclusivity.
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Overall, the updated Scheme of Assistance to National Sports Federations is a complete move toward making India a global sports leader. By encouraging grassroots talent, improving coaching systems, and offering more financial support, the scheme strategically prepares Indian athletes for success in international competitions and positions the country to host major events like the 2036 Olympic Games.
| Parameter | Revised Amount/Requirement |
|---|---|
| National Championships Assistance (High-Priority Sports) | ₹90 lakh |
| National Championships Assistance (Priority Sports) | ₹75 lakh |
| International Events Hosting Assistance | ₹2 crore (doubled) |
| Coaching Salary – Chief National Coach | ₹7.5 lakh per month |
| Coaching Salary – Other Coaches | ₹3 lakh per month |
| Dietary Allowance for Probable Group Athletes | ₹10,000 per month (non-camp days) |
| Diet Charges (Senior Athletes) | ₹1,000 per day |
| Diet Charges (Junior Athletes) | ₹850 per day |
| Mandatory Budget for Grassroots Development | At least 20% of NSF annual budget |
| Mandatory Allocation for Coach and Technical Staff Development | At least 10% of total funding |
| High-Performance Director Appointment | Required for NSFs with 610 crore annual budget |
For official details and updates, visit the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports website at https://yas.nic.in/sports.