Govt gives first instalment of Olympics grant to IOA

The Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Youth Affairs & Sports Jitendra Singh said the government had approved financial assistance of Rs 1.07 crore to the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) towards participation of the Indian contingent in the London Olympics for meeting the expenditure on air-travel, overseas medical insurance, out of pocket allowance, ceremonial dress, hiring of equipments, extra baggage etc.

Out of approved assistance of Rs 1.07 crore, the first instalment of Rs.83.19 lakh, representing 75 per cent of the approved grant, has been released to the IOA.

In a written reply to the Rajya Sabha on Thursday, Jitendra said the 142-member contingent, comprising 81 athletes, 34 coaches, four managers, eight doctors/physiotherapists, eight contingent officials, two P-category athletes, 4 P-category officials and one Olympic attache were cleared by the ministry for the Games.

The number of coaches supporting personnel and managers was based on the number of sportspersons qualified (as per norms of the London Organizing Committee for Olympic Games).

The IOA had registered the coaches and support staff for accompanying the sportspersons for the Olympics as per the recommendation of the concerned National Sports Federations under the quota set by International Olympic Committee.

Since some components of expenditure, like extra baggage were common, the amount incurred on sportspersons and supporting staff cannot be segregated, the minister added.