The Sports Authority of India (SAI) has established a para centre at the SAI regional centre in Gandhinagar as part of its National Centre of Excellence Scheme, Sports Minister Anurag Thakur announced in Parliament on Thursday.
Under the ‘promotion of sports among persons with disabilities’ vertical of the Khelo India scheme, financial assistance is provided to support district and state level games to the concerned national sports federations, namely, Special Olympic Bharat, All India Sports Council of Deaf and Paralympics Committee of India.
Furthermore, under the Khelo India Scheme’s ‘talent search and development’ vertical, 29 para-athletes from four para-sports disciplines have been identified and are receiving an out-of-pocket allowance of Rs 10,000 per month.
Additionally, the nodal body has established a paracenter at SAI’s regional centre in Gandhinagar. Athletics, swimming, powerlifting, and table tennis are all available at the centre.
The selected athletes are provided support in the form of expert coaches, sports equipment, boarding and lodging, sports kit, competition exposure, educational expenses, medical/insurance and stipend as per the approved scheme norms.
Most of the other centres of SAI have also been made disabled friendly.
This ministry implements the Khelo India Scheme, which has the dual goals of increasing mass participation and promoting excellence in sports. Various programmes have been launched under the various Khelo India verticals to achieve the goal of broadening and promoting the culture of sports.
These initiatives are carried out across the country in both rural and urban areas.
Thakur provided the information in a written reply to Rajya Sabha.