The ministry also took keen interest in the preparations of next year's Commonwealth Games. A Group of Ministers has also been constituted to review the progress every week.
The Government sanctioned a budget of Rs. 1620 crore apart from appointing officials in various capacities in the Organising Committee to strengthen the internal management and financial administration of the OC.
The government also approved a scheme at a cost of Rs 678 Crores for the comprehensive training and coaching of the Indian athletes.
A total of 1126 core athletes in 17 sports disciplines and para sorts have been selected and are undergoing intensive training.
After taking note of incidents of age fraud committed by some athletes, specific guidelines have been drafted and issued to National Sports Federations (NSFs) to take appropriate measures to check age fraud on the same lines of anti-doping measures, the ministry said in a release.
The NSFs are now required to issue identity cards to national athletes, draw a clear policy with regard to submission of documents in support of age proof and medical procedure for verification in case of doubt and appeal procedures.
In order to update records of NSFs, action has been undertaken to collect and maintain the data/documents with regard to legal, financial, management and operational status.
Till recently the government was providing out of pocket allowance to only those players, who were participating in major multi-disciplinary events.
This has put athletes and coaches participating in other international events at a disadvantage. On noticing this disparity, the ministry approved provision of pocket allowance upto USD 25 per day per player and other members of Indian contingent participating in major international events aboard.
In another important measure, to meet the demands of the forthcoming Commonwealth Games and also to increase the annual sample testing capacity of NADA from existing 2000 to 5000 in 2010, a comprehensive Action plan has been prepared.
The Action Plan includes upgradation of technology, recruitment of manpower availability of foreign experts during 2010 CWG and setting up of new test methods as per the WADA guidelines and under the motto 'Medals with Honour'.
The scheme of Special Cash Awards to medal winners in international events and their coaches has been streamlined to ensure timely sanction and release of cash awards.
The award money for National Sports & Adventure Awards has been enhanced. The award money has been increased to Rs 7.5 lakh from Rs 5 lakh for Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award; to Rs 5 lakh from Rs 3 lakh for Arjuna Award, Dronacharya Award, Dhyan Chand Award and Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award.
