India’s Sports Ministry has decided to allocate more incentives to athletes, coaches and National Sports Federations (NSF) ahead of next year’s Rio Olympics, in a bid to improve their performance in the global quadrennial extravaganza. India returned with six medals from the London Games in 2012, comprising four bronzes and two silvers, their best effort till date at the Summer Games.

The revision was announced in Guwahati earlier this week by Sports Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, and the incentives have been envisioned as a method to boost India’s build-up to the Rio Games in August 2016. The perks include allocations for national championships, improved salaries for chief coaches and increased air travel facilities.

Problems abound

The announcement comes just days after ace shooter Ronjan Sodhi complained of apathy on part of Ministry officials after he was made to run from pillar to post for funding, that had been sanctioned to him, before being told to fend for himself as he trained in Italy for next month’s Asian Shooting Championships.

On the other hand, India’s boxing federation, which is in a shambles following infighting, and a coordination committee formed by Sports Authority of India and the ad-hoc committee approved by the International Boxing Association (AIBA) last week, is expected to organize all-India tournaments and also pick the probables for the Asian Olympic qualifiers to be held in China next month.

It was only last week that Hockey India was asked to be recognized as the sole governing body of the sport in India as an implementation of the judgment passed by the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) last month, following an unsuccessful appeal by the Indian Hockey Federation.

Contingent to reach Rio earlier to acclimatize

Unconfirmed reports in the online edition of the Indian Express earlier this week quoted a senior ministry official saying that the Indian contingent at the Rio Olympics will set base in the host country before the Games to get acclimatized to the conditions.

“We got feedback from athletes that reaching the venue two or three days before the event is not enough to get used to the conditions. So we have decided that if the federations wish to, we can send the athletes to the host city up to 30 days in advance so that they get enough time to prepare themselves before their events,” a ministry official told the newspaper.

“Earlier, we used to send athletes just two days before the event. The amended policy will now be applicable to major international events, which include the Olympics, Commonwealth Games and Asian Games. From our end, we want to give them the option and benefit of reaching early and get accustomed to the local conditions.”

According to the report, the Indian embassy in Brazil has already swung into action, with defense attaché, Captain Atul Deswal, making the necessary arrangements. An Indian delegation comprising officials from the Sports Ministry, Sports Authority of India and the Indian Olympic Association is expected to visit Rio soon to finalise the training venues.

The athletes get to stay at the Olympic Village after it officially opens 10 days prior to the opening ceremony. “Till the time the athletes’ village is opened, the ministry will look after the stay for the athletes. It is an expensive affair but we are not looking at the cost factor,” the official said.

Largest contingent ever expected

India is expected to send their largest-ever contingent next year, with over 100 athletes estimated to qualify for the Games. So far almost 60 athletes have qualified in five disciplines — hockey (men & women), shooting, athletics, archery and wrestling – as compared to 83 competitors in 13 disciplines in 2012 London.

Hikes and increased financial support

As per the new revision, the quantum of financial assistance for international events held in India has been enhanced from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 30 lakh per tournament. Remuneration for High Performance Specialist Coaches engaged by Sports Authority of India and National Sports Federations for sports disciplines included in mega events has been increased to 2 lakh per month.

Interestingly, salaries of various support personnel like doctors, physiotherapists, psychologists and masseurs has also been substantially hiked to attract highly-skilled personnel to assist the athletes.

The Sports Minister said salary of chief coaches has tripled to 1,50,000 per month with the option of higher salary in specific deserving cases. The salary of other coaches has also been enhanced from Rs.30, 000 to Rs.75, 000 per month.

Air travel has been sanctioned for all senior athletes and coaches for distances in excess of 500 km, while the junior players have been allowed air travel facilities in economy class for distances beyond 1, 200 km.

“Air travel has been allowed for coaching camps and competitions held in the North-East region. Similarly, the athletes from the North-East region will be allowed air travel from their residence-coaching camps to and from Kolkata,” Sonowal said.

Among other incentives, medical insurance policy of Rs. 5 lakh and Personal Accident policy of Rs. 25 lakhs for athletes have been sanctioned.