New Delhi, Jan 15 (IANS): The Sports Ministry Wednesday decided to give financial assistance to three sportspersons and their coaches who have qualified for the Sochi Winter Olympics, starting Feb 7.

Shiva Keshavan (Luge), Himanshu Thakur (Alpine Skiing) and Nadeem Iqbal (Alpine Skiing) have qualified for the Winter Olympics and Sports Minister Jitendra Singh directed the Sports Authority of India (SAI) to release funds for them immediately.

"Although the Winter Games of Federation of India (WGFI) made the request for financial assistance for participation of Indian sportspersons in Winter Olympics Dec 28, 2013 as against the requirement of sending the proposal for financial assistance at least 90 days before commencement of a sports event," the Ministry said in a statement.

"The Ministry, as a special case, has directed the Sports Authority of India (SAI) to release funds to WGFI immediately under the Scheme of Assistance to NSFs for the three sportspersons and three coaches who would be accompanying them."

The Ministry's directives are:

-- Air passage cost (economy class): as per actuals or differential of the actual air passage cost and the air passage cost provided by the Organising Committee of the Games.

-- Out of pocket allowance: $50 per day per person for the period of the stay of the sportspersons and coaches in Sochi.

-- Sports Kit including ceremonial dress: Rs.20,000 per person.

-- Boarding and lodging: as per norms provided in the Ministry's Scheme of Assistance to NSFs, in case Organising Committee of the Games is not providing free boarding and lodging in the Games Village.

The Ministry is also separately examining the request of the WGFI for grant of funds for players and coaches from the National Sports Development Fund for items such as ski, ski boot, Ski Stick, Ski Suit and snow clothing which are not covered under the Scheme of Assistance to National Sports Federations.