Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Rathore declared that the government has released Rs 3.14 crore as out of pocket allowance of 175 sportspersons under the Target Olympic Podium (TOP) Scheme in the last quarter of 2017. “The rate of Out of Pocket Allowance (OPA) from NSDF is Rs 50,000 per month and it is admissible with effect from September 2017 or from subsequent months of selection of the athlete whichever is later,” he said.
The amount has been released from the National Sports Development Fund (NSDF) for the period from September to December last year. The TOP Scheme is an ambitious project of the Government of India that aims to identify and prepare potential medal prospects for Olympic and Paralympic Games. The selected athletes are provided financial assistance for their training and for other facilities necessary for their sport.
Rathore also informed that in a bid to eradicate doping, the government has decided to establish regional centres to spread awareness and impart anti-doping education. It is to be noted that 110sportsperson failed dope test in 2015. However the number decreased to 67 sportspersons in 2016. But the situation is still alarming.
The government has decided to established five regional centres to increase the anti-doping education and awareness at all levels of sports in the country.
