With 2036 Olympic bid in mind, committee formed to revise norms for assistance to NSFs

Sports ministry forms committee to revise financial assistance norms for NSFs, considering India's bid to host 2036 Olympics.

The sports ministry has constituted a six-member committee to revise the norms for providing financial assistance to National Sports Federations (NSFs) keeping in mind the "emerging challenges" facing India and the country's bid to host the 2036 Olympics.

The committee would be headed by joint secretary (sports) Kunal, and includes executive director (Teams) Ritu Pathik, Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) CEO N.S. Johal, former TOPS CEO commodore (Retd) P.K. Garg, and president of Indian Weightlifting Federation (IWF) Sahdev Yadav.

Mr. Yadav is also the treasurer of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA).

In a note marked to all members of the committee, Tarun Pareek, the undersecretary in the sports ministry, said, "The undersigned is directed to say that the norms of providing financial assistance to National Sports Federations (NSFs) under the Scheme of Assistance to NSFs were revived by the Ministry vide letter dated 28.2.2022.

"...a new Olympic Cycle has started which necessitated the need for review of the norms in view of the evolving circumstances, which demand a comprehensive review to address the emerging challenges and India's aspiration to host 2036 Olympic Games," read the circular which is in PTI's possession.

"Accordingly, it has been decided to constitute a committee consisting of the following to suggest the revised norms of the scale of assistance for various components under the Scheme of Assistance to NSFs."

Last November, India submitted a 'Letter of Intent' to host the 2036 Olympic and Paralympic Games, to the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) Future Host Commission, taking the first concrete step in an ambitious plan after months of informal dialogue with the IOC.