New Delhi: In view of Asian Games and Paris Olympics, Rs 3,397.32 crore has been allocated to the Sports Department in the Union Budget for the financial year 2023-24. This is Rs 723.97 crore more than last year.
The funding of Rs 3,062.60 crore initially announced for the financial year 2022-23 was later reduced to Rs 2,673.35 crore. The main reason for this was the postponement of the 2022 Asian Games to this year in China.
‘Gelo India’, a national program for sports development, continues to be a priority program of the Central Government this time around. In the last financial year, this project has received Rs. Rs 1,045 crore has been allocated against the allocation of Rs 606 crore. This is Rs.439 crore more than last year. This program is being implemented to produce the best athletes to participate in global sports competitions like Olympics, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games.
The Sports Commission of India, which looks after conducting national camps for athletes, providing infrastructure and equipment to athletes, appointing coaches and maintaining sports infrastructure, has received an increase of Rs 36.09 crore in the budget allocation. While the previous year’s revised expenditure was Rs.749.43 crore, now their allocation for the year 2023-24 is Rs. 785.52 crores.
Similarly, the allocation of funds for National Sports Federations has also been increased. Rs 280 crore was allocated in the last financial year and now Rs 325 crore has been allocated. This is Rs 45 crore more than last year.
The National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) and the National Doping Testing Laboratory, which are accredited by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), have earlier received funding from the Sports Authority of India. In this case, Rs 21.73 crore has been allocated for NADA in this year’s budget. At the same time, the National Doping Testing Laboratory, which conducts tests, will get Rs 19.50 crore. Similarly, an allocation of Rs.13 crore has been made for the National Center for Sports Science and Research.
