Revision of ESIC Sports Policy for Meritorious Sportspersons

F. No. B-16011/1/2024-E-II Dated:- 15-01-2026

To,

1. All the AC/Regional Directors, Regional Offices,
2. Joint Director (I/c)/Deputy Director (I/c), SROs ESI Corporation,
3. All Deans/MSs/Medical Institutions, ESIMCHs/ESICHs
4. D(M) D/D(M) Noida/Director/Joint Director (E-V), Hqrs. Office,
5. NTA, Dwarka.

Sub: Revision of ESIC Sports Policy for ESIC, Meritorious Sportspersons.

Madam/Sir,

In supersession of ESIC Sports Policy circulated vide this office letter No.B-16/16/1/2008-E-II the following new Sport Policy is hereby framed, with the approval of Hon'ble Chairman, ESIC, to enable meritorious Sportspersons of ESIC to perform better in the National/International tournaments and enhance the brand image of ESIC.

1. Zonal presidents will identify the sports persons in respect of their Zone and recommend their names to the Central Sports Control Board for formation of a combined team of ESIC in respect of each team event. Wherever, the team is formed the players have to play under the banner of ESIC except when under the provisions of National/ State sports Association they have to represent the State/ National team and they cannot play under the banner of ESIC.
2. Zonal presidents should approach the respective Federations through the players working in ESIC including those who were active earlier but because of age or other reasons they are no more in active sporting activities for getting institutional membership for ESIC in various State/ National Sports Association/ Federations, wherever it is possible.
3. Wherever, the ESIC team is participating in National Tournaments/ Championship during the summer, they should wear the track suits and during winter, the team should wear the blazer. Each member of the ESIC National Team will be provided one blazer/ trouser each with the ESIC logo.
4. Corporation has decided to provide best quality participating kits, track suits. Playing kits and equipment for sportsmen who are participating in National/ International events. Similar facilities will also be provided to the coaches/ managers participating in National/ Inter- National events.
5. All Regional Directors shall organize Summer and Winter Marathons, which should be open to all, but prizes should be kept separately for General Public, ESIC Employees, IPs and Employers. Prizes should be separately given to the children of all categories. Major Employers will be approached for sponsoring such events as their participating will bring the Corporation and Employers closer. The services of Event Manager shall be engaged for organization of such events in a professional way and Regional Directors are authorized in the behalf. They must necessarily involve the State/ District Athletic Association and Olympic Association in such events. Some financial assistance must be given to the concerned sports association for providing technical help and help in organization the events. This would be decided locally by Regional Directors /In -Charge Sub Region.
6. The possibility of organization of events like Golf Billiards and Bridge etc. for employers should also be explored with their active participation and sponsorship because these are the games in which they might be interested.
7. The Zonal Presidents should convene the meeting of Zonal Sports Control Board every year in the last week of June (July as far as this year is concerned) and programme for Zonal sports meet should be chalked out in such a way that Zonal meet is completed during the month of September/ October of that Year. Central sports meet will be held every Year during the month of December or January of the following year after the Zonal Meets.
8. The Zonal/ Central meets will be organised at the different venues in rotation in such a way that every year they are held at different locations.
9. The revised rates of the kits and equipment applicable for future Zonal/ Central sports meets will be decided by the respective Zonal Presidents in consultation with the Presidents Regional Sports Control Board and Local Finance keeping in view the quality as well as economy.
10. All sporting events included in the Olympic Games shall be included in Zonal/ Central Sports meets irrespective of number of participants. In case there is any proposal to include any non-Olympic game in the Sports Meet, the proposal should be sent to the Central Sports Control Board for approval.
11. For organization of events and preparing the fixtures etc. RDs seek the help of the local sports associations etc. and pay honorarium/charges wherever necessary. Regarding Payment of rent for the grounds on which the teams practice rent would be borne by the Corporation. For participation as a team player from other regions should be called a few days before the tournament, so that they can be given pre-tournament training etc. National State/District sports Association could be asked to provide professional coaches for coaching ESIC team and due honorarium should be paid to such coaches. The objective should be to send a properly trained team in the tournament.
12. In respect of those Corporation employees who are selected for participating in the sport events of national/international importance the period of actual days on which they participate in the events as also the time spent in traveling to and from such tournaments/meets will be treated as on duty. Further, if any pre participation coaching camp is held in connection with the above mentioned events, this period will also be treated as on duty. During participation as much publicity of ESIC should be done as possible with the help of empanelled advertising agencies.
13. Some of Corporation employees may be qualified Umpires of various games. Such employees must actively do Umpiring in various State/ National/ International events under the banner of ESIC and they will be given permission liberally to do this. Such employees should upgrade their level by passing various examinations and participating in courses organized by appropriate bodies.
14. ESIC should participate/ organize trekking/expedition events through various Associations/ organization and such events should be aggressively publicised by having a flagging off ceremony under some slogan related to good health and ESIC.
15. All cultural activities must also be promoted particularly dance, dramas, art and music at the time of Sports function. All regions must organize cultural events and competitions for the ESIC employees and IPs. Prizes for children must always be kept separately for all categories to bring the IPs. and ESIC employees closer to the Corporation and to give a platform to ESIC Employees/IPs and their children to display their talents in these areas.
16. All stake holders viz. ESIC Employees, IPs. and Employers should be fully involved in sports and cultural activities. All such events should be given wide publicity to improve the Brand image of ESIC. All Regional Directors/ Sub Regional In-charges would be the nodal Officers to organize such events throughout the year with the help and involvement of Employers (by Sponsorship) and sports associations (Technical Assistance) and wherever required through an event manager.
17. Sports and cultural activities should start immediately in all Regions, Sub Regional Office and Medical Institutions.
18. Relaxation in Office Timings:- The prevailing timings of 10am to 3pm for active sports persons who have participated in National/International importance tournaments/ Tournaments organized by AIPSSCB in the preceding Calendar year may be continued. Performance and physical assessments should be made on periodical basis so as to judge their capability/capacity for continuing the facility/concession. The above periodical assessment may also be made for the MSPs who have completed the age of 35 years to judge their fitness/capacity/capability to compete further. Further their past performance in events of National/ International importance in the immediate preceding years may also be taken into account for getting facility/concession equivalent to active MSPs.
19. Full day exemption from office for practice extraordinary MSPS:- (a) For Individual Games:- Individual players who have all India ranking up to 20 as per Association/Federation website and world ranking up to 100 as per their respective world Association/ Federation, will be granted exemption full day for practice/training for the entire year as long as the said ranking is applicable /valid and the same will be assessed every year (Calendar Year). The above said exemption will be granted by Hqrs. office after examining on case to case basis. However, this is not applicable for MSPs playing veteran tournaments and have achieved ranking in the veteran category. (b) For Team Game:- The assessment will be made on the basis of performance of the team participated in the National importance tournaments as mentioned below: - (I) Football- Players representing the teams which have reached at least quarterfinals in the tournaments of National and International Importance (applicable for major tournaments of National importance i.e. the Santosh Trophy, Durand Cup, Indian Super League and I-League along with major tournaments of international importance and not applicable for invitation or ranking tournaments) (II) Kabaddi- Players representing the teams which have reached at least quarter finals in the tournaments of National and International Importance (applicable for major tournaments of National importance i.e. the National Championships and Pro-Kabaddi League along with major tournaments of international importance and not applicable for invitation or ranking tournaments) (III) Volleyball- Players representing the teams which have reached at least quarter finals in the tournaments of National and International Importance (applicable for major tournaments of National importance i.e. the National Championships and Pro-Kabaddi League along with major tournaments of international importance and not applicable for invitation or ranking tournaments). The above said exemptions will be granted by Hqrs. office after examining on a case to case basis. However, this is not applicable for MSPs playing veteran tournaments and have met the criteria in the veteran category.
20. TA/DA and Boarding & Lodging for MSPs:- Individual participation - MSPs participating individually, they may be allowed traveling by III/II AC(including Rajdhani/Shatabdi ) by train upto 500 kms of distance (shortest distance of train) and for places more than 500 kms, they may be allowed to travel by Air (Economy class). In case, MSPs will travel by Air to the places less than 500 kms, the fare will be restricted to IInd AC fare (including Rajdhani/Shatabdi) applicable on the date of journey. Further, Boarding & Lodging may be provided as per their entitlements as on tour/training in accordance with ESIC, TA/DA Regulations as the said travel is treated as on duty in connection with participation in National/International importance events. ESIC Team Participation: - MSPs representing ESIC Teams, they may be allowed traveling by III/II AC (including Rajdhani/Shatabdi) by train up to 500 kms of distance (shortest distance of Train) and the places more than 500 kms, they may be allowed to travel by Air (Economy class). In case, MSPs will travel by Air to the places less than 500 kms, the fare will be restricted to IInd AC fare (including Rajdhani/Shatabdi) applicable on the date of journey. Further, boarding & lodging etc. will be provided by the concerned RO/SRO, if the same is not provided by the organizers/sports Association/Federation. RO/SRO concerned may arrange the boarding & lodging as per rate applicable for Zonal /Central sports meet in accordance with Hqrs. instructions dated 29/11/2023 i.e total ceiling of Rs.2550/- per participant per day including all expenses.
21. Kits and Equipment: . Sports kits and equipment shall be provided within a financial ceiling to be fixed and reviewed annually with concurrence of Finance Division of ESIC.
22. Preparatory Camp/training: .07 days duration of preparatory camps (including weekends/office holidays) which will be allowed on a uniform basis for all sports disciplines in respect of both individual as well as ESIC team events for National/International importance tournaments as provided for ESIC Zonal dated 18/11/2019. However, where there is specific pre-training /camps organized by concerned Associations/Federation for any National/international tournament, the same will be considered as per schedule of the said Association/ Federation for such tournaments.
23. Cash awards to MSPs:- MSPs securing positions in National/International tournaments shall be eligible for cash awards as per norms to be notified by ESIC, periodically.
24. On Duty/ Special CL Leaves to MSPs:- On duty/ Special CL to MSPs participating in various tournaments may be sanctioned by RDs/Controlling Authorities subject to permission granted by Headquarters office in the matter above. In case permission is not received from Hqrs. Office within time, RDs/ Controlling Authorities will accord permission subject to the condition that the approval granted by Hqrs. office later on.
25. NIS (National Institute of Sports) Coaching and Diploma courses for MSPs:- The eligibility criteria adopted by SAI for coaching and diploma courses may be followed. Accordingly, the existing conditions stipulated in the instructions are revised to the extent that SAI guidelines to be followed for MSPs willing to pursue NIS diplomas and the requests of MSPs in this regard may be decided on a case to case basis accordingly.
26. Participation in International events: - In case of MSPs willing to participate in International events, the same shall be considered on a case to case basis as per DoP&T instructions and other relevant instructions issued by the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs after taking into account past performance in events of National importance and estimated expenditure to be incurred in connection with participation with the event.