Shiva Keshavan (luge), Himanshu Thakur (alpine skiing) and Nadeem Iqbal (cross country skiing) have been cleared by the government for the February 7-23 Games after a meeting chaired by sports minister Jitendra Singh.
The ministry decided to provide the funds for air travel, out of pocket allowance, for sports kit including ceremonial dress, and boarding and lodging in case it is not provided free in the Games Village in Sochi. ‘The ministry has directed SAI to release funds to WGFI immediately for the required components under the Scheme of Assistance to NSFs for the three sportspersons and three coaches who would be accompanying them,’ a ministry release stated.
‘The sceme includes (i) Air passage cost (economy class): As per actuals or differentials of the actual air passage cost and the cost provided by the organising committee of the Games. (ii) Out of pocket allowance: $50 per day per person for the period of stay in Sochi. (iii) Sports kit: Rs 20,000 per person (iv) Boarding and lodging: As per norms provided in the ministry’s Scheme of Assistance to NSFs, in case the organizing committee of the Games is not providing free boarding and lodging in the Games Village.
The ministry, however, delayed the sanction of the funds related to buying of expensive equipments for Himanshu and Iqbal requested by WGFI. It said the duo would need to buy new equipment for the Games, costing at least `6 lakhs per athlete, as the specifications of the equipment for Winter Olympics are different from the ones they have been using.
The ministry also clarified request for financial assistance for participation of Indian sportspersons in Winter Olympics was made only on December 28 as against the requirement of sending the proposal for financial assistance at least 90 days before commencement of a sports event. But the ministry insisted that as a special case, the request has been considered.
The ministry decided to provide the funds for air travel, out of pocket allowance, for sports kit including ceremonial dress, and boarding and lodging in case it is not provided free in the Games Village in Sochi. ‘The ministry has directed SAI to release funds to WGFI immediately for the required components under the Scheme of Assistance to NSFs for the three sportspersons and three coaches who would be accompanying them,’ a ministry release stated.
‘The sceme includes (i) Air passage cost (economy class): As per actuals or differentials of the actual air passage cost and the cost provided by the organising committee of the Games. (ii) Out of pocket allowance: $50 per day per person for the period of stay in Sochi. (iii) Sports kit: Rs 20,000 per person (iv) Boarding and lodging: As per norms provided in the ministry’s Scheme of Assistance to NSFs, in case the organizing committee of the Games is not providing free boarding and lodging in the Games Village.
The ministry, however, delayed the sanction of the funds related to buying of expensive equipments for Himanshu and Iqbal requested by WGFI. It said the duo would need to buy new equipment for the Games, costing at least `6 lakhs per athlete, as the specifications of the equipment for Winter Olympics are different from the ones they have been using.
The ministry also clarified request for financial assistance for participation of Indian sportspersons in Winter Olympics was made only on December 28 as against the requirement of sending the proposal for financial assistance at least 90 days before commencement of a sports event. But the ministry insisted that as a special case, the request has been considered.