Following three sportspersons from India have qualified for participation in Sochi Winter Olympics commencing from 7^th February 2014:

(i)                 Shri Shiva Keshavan (Luge)

(ii)              Shri Himanshu Thakur (Alpine Skiing)

(iii)            Shri Nadeem Iqbal (Alpine Skiing)

Although the Winter Games of Federation of India (WGFI) made the request for financial assistance for participation of Indian sportspersons in Winter Olympics on 28^th December 2013 as against the requirement of sending the proposal for financial assistance at least  90 days before commencement of a sports event, the Ministry, as a special case, has directed the Sports Authority of India (SAI) to release funds to WGFI immediately for the following components under the Scheme of Assistance to NSFs for the three sportspersons and three coaches who would be accompanying them:

(i)                 Air passage cost (economy class): as per actuals or differential of the actual air passage cost and the air passage cost provided by the Organizing Committee of the Games.

(ii)              Out of pocket allownce: US $ 50 per day per person for the period of the stay of the sportspersons and coaches in Sochi.

(iii)            Sports Kit including ceremonial dress: Rs. 20,000 per person.

(iv)             Boarding and lodging: as per norms provided in the Ministry's Scheme of Assistance to NSFs, in case Organizing Committee of the Games is not providing free boarding and lodging in the Games Village.

 The Ministry is separately examining the request of the WGFI for grant of funds for players and coaches from the National Sports Development Fund for items such as ski, ski boot, Ski Stick, Ski Suit and snow clothing which are not covered under the Scheme of Assistance to National Sports Federations.

The above decisions were reached at a meeting, taken by the Minister of State ( Independent charge) for Youth Affairs & Sports, Shri Jitendra Singh in New Delhi today.

AD