For the first time, the Union Sports Ministry has approved an out of pocket allowance of Rs 25,000 per month for Indian hockey players selected in the national camp. The decision on the allowance, which will be extended to both men and women, has been taken after repeated requests from Hockey India.

The allowance, which will benefit 80 players, including 40 men and 40 women, is granted to athletes in the developmental group of the Target Olympic Podium Scheme. The decision to this effect was taken at the monthly meeting of the Mission Olympic Cell on Thursday. The allowance would cost the government Rs 20 lakh per month.

Talking to the media, Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said the ministry had decided to accept the demand of the sport’s governing body. “The players have performed reasonably well and it is on merit,” he said.

Hockey India is required to submit a list of players every month for disbursement of the funds. Pertinently, core group athletes are entitled to Rs 50,000 per month. A sports ministry official said the list would take into account form and fitness while deciding on the names.

As of now, hockey players draw salaries from the departments and organisations that they are employed with. Hockey India’s proposal to have a graded contract system was under consideration for the past few years. The other source of income for hockey players is the prize money they get for impressive international performances in top tournaments like the Olympics and Asian Games.

Proposals worth ₹4.28 crore approved

The Mission Olympic Cell approved financial proposals to the tune of Rs 4.28 crore during the meeting. A big portion of these funds, Rs 1.38 crore, will go to tennis players like Saketh Myneni, Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan and three women players.

“Several proposals from para-athletes for assistance were also approved. And a few additions were made to the Target Olympic Podium Scheme developmental group. The core group, for now, remains the same,” a Sports Authority of India (SAI) official said.

Talent identification goes digital

The Union Sports Ministry has decided to bolster its talent identification process with an app that would enable talented players to upload their performances for assessment by SAI’s regional talent identification panels.

“If found good, the youngster would be called to Khelo India Regional Centres, where their potential would be assessed. This would widen our talent identification mechanism, which is right now limited to age group competitions,” Mandaviya said.

“It would ensure that we can reach the remotest corners of the country and find a promising athlete. This is all a part of the National Sports Repository System,” he said.