Major Boost for Para and Special Olympics Athletes

Maharashtra Government Announces Substantial Increase in Prize Money

@ Separate Financial Provision for Special Olympics; State Cabinet Takes Key Decision

Mumbai, August 24

The Maharashtra Government has taken a significant step to promote sporting talent among athletes with disabilities and special athletes by introducing a separate financial provision for the Special Olympics and substantially increasing the prize money awarded to successful participants.

Under the revised policy, several major international sporting events have been brought under its ambit, including the Deaflympics, IBSA World Championships, World Cups, World Games, Blind Cricket World Cup, Special Olympics, World Games for athletes with intellectual disabilities, as well as the Senior Deaf World Championships and World Cups.

In a major move aimed at benefiting more athletes, the government has relaxed the earlier stringent requirement that competitions must have participation from at least eight countries. Under the revised framework, the prize money will now be determined according to the actual number of participating countries.

According to the new structure, athletes winning team events in competitions featuring at least 12 participating countries, and individual events with at least 16 participating countries, will receive 100 per cent of the prescribed prize money.

For competitions with participation from six to 12 countries in team events and eight to 12 countries in individual events, successful athletes will receive 50 per cent of the prescribed prize money.

Similarly, athletes securing success in competitions involving four to five countries in team events and four to seven countries in individual events will be eligible for 25 per cent of the prescribed prize money.

By easing the participation criteria, the revised policy is expected to enable a larger number of athletes with disabilities and special athletes from across Maharashtra to benefit directly from the government’s financial assistance.

The new government resolution (GR), aimed at providing greater financial support and encouragement to athletes in their sporting careers, is expected to be issued officially shortly.