Ex-sportspersons with international medals will get pension: Govt

KOLKATA: The Government of India has decided to provide pension to former Indian international medal winning sportspersons, who have have hung up their boots and attained the age of 30 years.

Vijay Goel, the Minister of State (I/C) for Youth Affairs and Sports, announced this today.

This is done keeping in mind the financial security of these former sportspersons under the 'Scheme of Sports fund for Pension to Meritorious Sportspersons'.


Apart from this, he further elaborated in a written reply, that financial assistance is also provided under the 'Scheme of National Welfare Fund for Sportspersons' to outstanding sportspersons in the past, who have brought glory to the nation but are now in dire need to assistance, given the fact that they're living under distressed and impoverished conditions.

All sportspersons, who fulfill the eligibility criteria as prescribed in the schemes, are eligible for full and complete benefits of the same.

Keeping the ever changing, dynamic circumstances like rising inflation etc. in mind, the Ministry regularly reviews all welfare schemes provided to all sportspersons, the minister said.

What is still not in place is, any proposal to enhance and revise the quantum of financial assistance and pensions provided for sportpersons in these given schemes.