Hockey players finally get an out-of-pocket allowance after years of waiting

Indian Hockey Players to Receive Out-of-Pocket Allowance After Years of Waiting

New Delhi: In a significant development, the Indian men's and women's national hockey team campers will now be entitled to an out-of-pocket allowance (OPA) from the government under the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS). This decision rectifies a long-standing anomaly, as hockey players were previously excluded from this benefit enjoyed by athletes in other disciplines since the inception of TOPS in September 2014.

Indian Hockey team

The Mission Olympic Cell (MOC) approved the OPA of Rs 25,000 per month for national campers of both the men’s and women’s hockey teams during its 156th governing council meeting, following a request from Hockey India (HI).

A total of 80 players (40 men and 40 women) stand to gain from this allowance, which is typically provided to athletes in the developmental group of TOPS. Athletes in the core group of TOPS receive a monthly stipend of Rs 50,000. The allowance for hockey players will cost the government Rs 20 lakh per month, according to a ministry official.

“The allowance was requested by Hockey India for some time and we have decided to accept the demand. The players have performed reasonably well and it (this allowance) is being given on merit. The federation will have to submit a list of players to the Sports Authority of India (SAI) every month for disbursement of the funds,” sports minister Mansukh Mandaviya said.

The men’s team's consistent performance, including back-to-back bronze medals at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics and the subsequent Paris Games last year, as well as a gold medal at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games, played a significant role in the decision to grant the OPA. The women’s team also impressed with a fourth-place finish in Tokyo. Both teams are currently participating in the FIH Pro League’s European leg.

The MOC also approved proposals worth Rs 4.28 cr from athletes, including Rs 1.38 cr in financial assistance to tennis players Saketh Myneni and Jeevan Nedu.