Joint Circular No. 127/2008/TTLT/BTC-BVHTTDL guiding the implementation of special nutritional regimes for high-performance athletes and coaches

JOINT CIRCULAR

Guidelines for Implementing Special Dietary Regimes for Elite Athletes and Coaches

__________________________________________

Pursuant to Decree No. 60/2003/NĐ-CP dated June 6, 2003 of the Government detailing and guiding the implementation of the State Budget Law.

Pursuant to Decree No. 178/2007/NĐ-CP dated December 3, 2007 of the Government stipulating functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of Ministries and ministerial-level agencies;

Pursuant to Decision No. 67/2008/QĐ-TTg dated May 26, 2008 of the Prime Minister on special dietary regimes for elite athletes and coaches.

The Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism jointly issue guidelines for implementing special dietary regimes for elite athletes and coaches as follows:

I. GENERAL PROVISIONS

1. Scope and Applicability:

1.1. Subjects:

- Athletes and coaches training and coaching at sports training centers, sports schools, and professional sports clubs.

- Athletes and coaches participating in high-performance sports competitions as specified in Article 37 of the Law on Physical Education and Sports (regional, continental, and world championships organized in Vietnam; national games; annual national championships and youth championships in each sport; provincial and central city championships in each sport).

1.2. Scope:

- National teams.

- National youth teams.

- Provincial and sectoral teams (referred to as provincial and sectoral teams).

- Provincial and sectoral youth teams (referred to as provincial and sectoral youth teams).

- Talent development teams at various levels.

- District and county teams.

1.3. Timeframe: During concentrated training and competition periods as decided by the competent authority.

2. Funding Sources: The funds allocated for the implementation of the regime prescribed in this Circular shall be included in the annual budget estimates of relevant ministries, sectors, and localities according to current state regulations on the decentralization of the state budget.

3. The State encourages national sports federations and associations, and units managing athletes and coaches to utilize legitimate revenue sources to supplement the special dietary regime for athletes and coaches.

II. SPECIFIC PROVISIONS

1. The dietary allowance is calculated based on the daily amount for concentrated training and competition of an athlete or coach. Specific levels are as follows:

1.1. Dietary Allowance for Athletes and Coaches During Concentrated Training Periods:

- Training within the country (VND/person/day):

- Training abroad: Based on the decision approved by the competent authority based on invitation letters or training contracts signed between domestic institutions tasked with training athletes and coaches and foreign entities, and within the framework of the state budget estimate for physical education and sports affairs announced annually by the competent authority.

- For athletes and coaches of national teams during concentrated training periods as decided by the competent authority to prepare for regional, continental, and world championships, they will receive a nutritional allowance of VND 200,000/person/day for up to 90 days.

1.2. Dietary Allowance for Athletes and Coaches During Concentrated Competition Periods (VND/person/day):

- Performance-enhancing supplements for athletes: Based on the budget capacity balanced in the annual physical education and sports expenditure estimate and the specific nature of each sport, the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism decides on the allowance for each category.

- During concentrated competition periods at regional, continental, and world championships and other international sports events, athletes and coaches will receive a nutritional allowance as stipulated in the tournament regulations.

Based on actual circumstances, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism will specify the use of the above nutritional allowances appropriately.

1.3. Depending on actual conditions and local government budget capacity, the People's Council of provinces will decide specifically on the nutritional allowance for athletes and coaches under their management in accordance with these provisions but not exceeding the limits set out in this Circular.

For district and county teams (collectively referred to as district teams), based on local government budget capacity, the sports movement, and local athlete selection and training regulations, the People's Council of provinces will determine the specific financial support for the nutritional allowance for athletes and coaches during concentrated training and competition periods.

1.4. For disabled athletes called up for training and competition by the competent authority, they will receive a nutritional allowance as prescribed in this Circular.

2. In cases where competitions are not organized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, central ministries, and localities but by national sports federations (such as the Volleyball Federation of Vietnam, the Cycling-Motorcycle Federation of Vietnam, the Football Federation of Vietnam, etc.), athletes and coaches will receive a nutritional allowance as stipulated in the tournament regulations during concentrated competition periods. The funding for the nutritional allowance will be provided by the unit sending athletes and coaches to the competition and from sponsorships.

3. Annually, based on the approved training and competition plans, relevant ministries and departments at the central level, and provincial and centrally-administered municipal Departments of Culture, Sports and Tourism will prepare budget estimates for the nutritional allowance for athletes and coaches and consolidate them into their own budgets, submitting them to the finance authorities at the same level for review and consolidation to be submitted to the competent authority for approval according to regulations.

4. Expenditures for nutritional regimes for athletes and coaches shall be accounted for under the item "Other payments to individuals" within the corresponding Chapters, Classes, and Sub-items.

5. Sources of funding: - The central budget ensures funding for the nutritional regime for coaches and athletes under centrally managed teams (national teams, national youth teams).

- The local budget ensures funding for the nutritional regime for coaches and athletes under locally managed teams (provincial teams, provincial youth teams, talented athlete teams).

6. When market prices fluctuate by 10% or more, the Joint Ministries will review and adjust the aforementioned levels accordingly.

III. IMPLEMENTATION

1. This Circular takes effect from January 1, 2009, and replaces Circular No. 103/2004/TT-LB dated November 5, 2004, issued jointly by the Ministry of Finance and the Sports Steering Committee on the nutritional regime for athletes and sports coaches.

2. During implementation, if there are difficulties or obstacles, units are requested to report them to the Joint Ministries for study and appropriate amendments and supplements./.