Centre announces financial assistance for struggling athletes of yesteryears

New Delhi, [India] Feb. 7 : The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports implemented a scheme named "National Welfare Fund for Sportspersons" for providing financial assistance to outstanding sportspersons of yesteryears.

Union Sports Minister Vijay Goel on Tuesday in the Rajya Sabha said that the Ministry is implementing the scheme for providing financial assistance to outstanding sportspersons who had brought glory to the country in sports, but are now living in indigent circumstances.

"The Ministry is implementing the scheme of Pension to Meritorious Sportspersons under which lifelong pension is provided to medallists of Olympic Games, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, World Championships and Paralympics after they retire from active sports or attain the age of 30 years, whichever is later," his statement read.

Under the Scheme, lump sum ex-gratia financial assistance is being provided to those sportspersons, whose annual income is less than Rs.

4 lakhs, or to their family members for medical treatment and to improve their financial position..

Source: ANI