Mansukh Mandaviya Clears Way For Automatic Disbursal Of Govt Cash Rewards For Athletes, Inaugurates NCSSR

The union minister launched the issuance of sports certificates via DigiLocker at the Indira Gandhi Stadium in New Delhi on Thursday and said that it will help the athletes. He said that the new system will eliminate the need for paper applications and the cash rewards promised to the athletes will come straight into their accounts.

"In the past what used to happen is that a sportsperson had to apply for Government cash rewards after winning medals in international competitions. I don't want that the athletes have to suffer or face any roadblocks in getting their well-deserved reward. So, these initiatives are meant to make it smooth for them. If everyone has watched him/her win a medal internationally why do they need to apply," the Union Minister said.

He also cited the examples of the Draft National Sports Governance Bill 2024, Draft National Sports Policy 2024, and the Draft National Code Against Age Fraud in Sports (NCAAFS) 2025 to state how the Narendra Modi-led union government is helping sportspersons across the country.

Prior to the launch, he inaugurated the National Centre for Sports Science and Research (NCSSR) at the at the Indira Gandhi Stadium.

During the inauguration, Mandaviya said that this centre will aid in high-level research, education, and innovation which will help in enhancing elite athlete performance.

Praising the initiative by the government, Olympic silver medallist and Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna awardee Mirabai Chanu said: “This is a really good scheme for players. The issuance of sports certificates by DigiLocker will take a lot of stress away from all sportspersons like me. Many times sportspersons have to rush back home for certain documents – for government jobs, visa etc. – as we don’t carry them with us always. I want to thank our Sports Minister on behalf of all players for this initiative.”