Preparation of sportspersons by year 2020 The Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Youth Affairs & Sports, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal has said that Preparation of sportspersons for major international sports events is an ongoing process. Indian athletes preparing for international competitions including 2016 and 2020 Olympic Games are provided assistance under the Scheme of Assistance to National Sports Federations (NSFs). They are provided with all the requisite facilities for their preparations, such as wholesome nutritious diet, food supplements, equipments, state-of-the-art infrastructure, lodging & travelling facilities, services of reputed Indian and Foreign Coaches, Supporting staff, Scientific & Medical support, Sports Kit, etc. besides financial assistance for their training and participation in International Competitions in India and abroad. Additionally, to cater to the individualized needs of the identified sportspersons financial assistance from National Sports Development Fund (NSDF) under the Scheme Target Olympic Podium (TOP) is being provided. In a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today the Minister said, furthermore, the Government has also established a Mission Olympic Cell under the Chairmanship of Director General, SAI to monitor the preparation of probable athletes/ teams on day to day basis and to ensure that requisite facilities are extended to the sportspersons well in time.
