New Delhi, Oct. 11 -- The Delhi government has approved Rs 9.75 crore in financial assistance for 123 sportspersons, including 89 elite athletes and 34 school-level players, under the Mukhyamantri Khel Prothsahan Yojana (MMKPY), Education Minister Ashish Sood said on Sunday.
Of the total amount, Rs 5.85 crore, or 60 per cent, will be transferred directly to the verified bank accounts of beneficiaries in the first phase. The remaining Rs 3.90 crore will be released after verification of utilisation certificates and supporting vouchers, according to the government.
Elite sportspersons will be eligible for financial assistance of up to Rs 20 lakh each to meet expenses related to specialised coaching, sports equipment, nutrition and advanced training. The assistance is intended to support athletes competing at higher levels and help them prepare for national and international events.
The scheme has also been expanded to include additional sporting disciplines. At the elite level, Wushu, roller skating, kabaddi, handball and basketball have been included, while school-level support will cover Wushu, Mallakhamb, Yogasana and roller skating. The beneficiaries were recommended by a Committee of Experts, the government said. "Our vision for Delhi's education system extends beyond traditional classrooms. Sports and physical education are fundamental pillars in shaping resilient, confident youth. Through the Mukhyamantri Khel Prothsahan Yojana, we are ensuring that financial constraints never stand in the way of our young athletes' dreams," Sood said. He added that the expansion of support to school-level and elite athletes would help create a pathway for Delhi's sporting talent to compete at national and international levels.
"Education and sports go hand in hand in building strong, disciplined citizens. Through this scheme, we are ensuring our school students and elite athletes receive world-class training without any financial worries," the minister said.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.