Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Youth Affairs and Sports Col. Rajyavardhan Rathore has said that the Khelo India Scheme has a dedicated vertical, namely, “Promotion of Sports among persons with disabilities” for supporting athletes with disabilities including sportspersons for Para-athletics. The indicative estimated expenditure for this vertical for the years 2018-19 and 2019-20 is Rs.15 crore each year.

In the Paralympic Games 2016, Indian para athletes won 04 medals (02 Gold, 01 silver and 01 bronze).  India won 01 Bronze medal in power-lifting event in Commonwealth Games 2018.           

In a written reply in Lok Sabha today, the Minister said that for promotion of sports among differently-abled persons, Ministry has recognized three National Sports Federations (NSFs) namely All India Sports Council of the Deaf (AISCD), Paralympic Committee of India (PCI), and Special Olympic Bharat (SOB). Government provides support to the differently-abled athletes, through their respective NSFs, for participation in national championships and international events. All the three NSFs for the differently-abled athletes have been placed in the “Priority” category so that they are eligible for maximum financial assistance under the Scheme of Assistance to NSFs.

He said in order to promote sports among the youth (both male and female sports person) across the country, the Sports Authority of India (SAI), an autonomous organization under the aegis of Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, is implementing various Sports Promotional Schemes to identify talented sports persons in the age group of 8-25 years and nurture them to excel in national and international competitions.

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