In
a bid to ensure that ex-international athletes and coaches have access
to medical, financial and logistical support during Covid 19, the
Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS), Indian Olympic Association
(IOA) and the Sports Authority of India (SAI) have have joined hands to
create a special support cell.
Ex-international
athletes and coaches can put forward their requirements for medical
aid, oxygen, hospitalisation and other support on an online platform
(https://www.research.net/r/SAI-IOA-Covid-19), which is already
operational. Besides a National committee, state-level working groups
consisting of representatives of IOA, state government officials and SAI
have also been formed to assist applicants from every State.
Speaking
about the initiative, Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports,
Kiren Rijiju said, "We stand by those who have contributed to sport in
India all their lives and have brought laurels to the country. These are
tough times and we want to ensure that our ex athletes or coaches have a
full support system to fight the Covid 19 pandemic. I am very happy
about this joint initiative that has been taken by the Government and
IOA. I am confident we will be able to help those in need."
Speaking
about the collaboration, Dr Narinder Dhruv Batra, President, IOA said,
"The sporting fraternity of India is one big family and in these trying
times it is impending on each of us to support the other. I thank Shri
Rijiju for taking this initiative forward along with the IOA. I am
hopeful that we will be able to assist many ex athletes and coaches who
need support right now."
In
addition to extending medical and logistical support in partnership
with state governments, funds will also be released from the Pandit
Deendayal Upadhyaya National Welfare Fund for Sportspersons (PDUNWFS),
wherein financial assistance will also be given to sportspersons and
their families who are living in dire condition.