The Union Sports Ministry has made it clear that sportspersons, who decide not to take part in international events where India participates as a team for medals rather than cash awards, will not be considered for funding from the National Sports Development Fund (NSDF).
In a communication to the National Sports Federations (NSFs), the ministry has reiterated its stand that individual players will be able to avail grants given to NSFs only if they undertake to play for the Indian team without reservations when called upon to do so.
In a release issued on Wednesday, the ministry said that this point was highlighted in instructions issued to the NSFs on July 18.
The ministry had said if there were specific exigencies because of which sportspersons were unable to play (for the country), this should be verified by the concerned NSF which thereupon could make an exception at its discretion.
“However, it was noticed while finalising the Indian contingent for the Incheon Asian Games, that senior and rank-holding sportspersons of some disciplines decided to pull out, preferring to play in prize-money tournaments instead of participating in the Asian Games.”
The ministry said the pullouts gave the impression that “such sportspersons do not take these competitions seriously. Multi-sports events are held once in four years and the nation takes pride in the number of medals won in these prestigious sports events.”
