Parliament Question: Welfare Schemes for Retired Sportspersons in Tamil Nadu

Government of India Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports Department of Sports LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3509 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.08.2026 Welfare Schemes for Retired Sportspersons in Tamil Nadu

3509. Shri Mani A:

Will the Minister of YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS be pleased to

state:

(a) whether the Government is implementing any welfare schemes for retired sportspersons including financial assistance, pensions, medical support, insurance coverage and other welfare benefits in Tamil Nadu, particularly those from Dharmapuri district and if so, the details thereof;

(b) the details of number of retired athletes from Tamil Nadu, including Dharmapuri district,who have benefited under such schemes during the last three years and the current year,discipline-wise;

(c) whether the Government has taken measures to provide post- retirement support through employment opportunities, coaching assignments, sports administration, skill development and livelihood assistance for retired athletes; and

(d) whether any additional initiatives are proposed to strengthen the social security, healthcare, financial stability and continued engagement of retired sportspersons in mentoring young athletes, particularly in Dharmapuri district and if so, the details thereof? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS [DR. MANSUKH MANDAVIYA]

(a) To (d): Sports' being a State subject the responsibility for promoting sports, including to promote the welfare of sportspersons/retired sportspersons rests primarily with the respective State Government. However, the Central Government supplements through schemes/programs/initiatives, as under:

Page 1 of 2(i) Scheme of Sports Fund for Pension to Meritorious Sportspersons provides additional financial security to sportspersons post retirement from active sports career in the form of life-time pension ranging from 12,000/- to 20,000/- per month. The sportspersons, who are retired from an active sports career and won medals in Olympic Games, Paralympic Games, World Cup, World Championships, Asian Games, Para Asian Games and Commonwealth Games, are eligible for life-time pension under the scheme.

(ii) Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay National Welfare Program for Sportspersons inter alia intends to provide financial assistance to retired sportspersons living in indigent circumstances; to family members of deceased sportspersons living in indigent circumstances; medical treatment; to sportsperson or their dependent family members and to Coaches and supporting sports professionals living in indigent circumstances. The financial assistance ranges up to 10 lakhs.

The above mentioned schemes are implemented through out the country including Dharampuri district in Tamil Nadu. The list of beneficiaries under the above Schemes is available on the Ministry’s website at https://yas.gov.in.

(iii) The Government has also taken initiative for post- retirement rehabilitation through RESET' (Retired Sportspersons Empowerment Training) Programme which aims at facilitating retired athletes' career development by providing them tailor- made education for their academic enhancement supplemented with internship and empowering them with the necessary knowledge and skills for their transition into a suitable career option.

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