Lok Sabha Question No. 4005 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-10
Subject: Development of Sports
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: SHASHI THAROOR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS (DEPARTMENT OF SPORTS)

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4005 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.08.2017

## Development of Sports

4005. DR. SHASHI THAROOR:

Will  the  Minister  of  YOUTH  AFFAIRS  AND  SPORTS  be  pleased  to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  taken  cognizance  of  the  critical  role played by the sports specially Olympics in community development and if so, the details thereof;
- (b)  whether  the  Government  is  aware  that  the  'Concept  Note  on  Long Term Plan for Development of Talent in Olympic Sports' prepared in 2013 stated that India would obtain at least 20 medals and finish in the midtwenties in the Olympics 2016;
- (c) if so, the reaction of the Government thereto in view of the fact that India could achieve only two medals and obtained the 67th position in the Olympics - 2016;
- (d) whether the Government has undertaken a review to assess the need of  financial  and  technical  resources  to  provide  greater  support  to  our athletes/ sportspersons; and

(e) if so, the details and the outcome thereof?

ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS (SHRI VIJAY GOEL)

- (a) Yes,  Madam.  The  Government  recognizes  the  power  of  sport  in contributing  to  people's  physical  and  mental  health.  Besides  the  long established benefits associated with active lifestyle, sports also contributes to gender equality, child and youth development and community  development.  The  Olympic  movement  hugely  contributes  to this process.
- (b)  &  (c)  Long  Term  Development  Plan  (LTDP)  is  prepared  by  the concerned  National  Sports  Federation  with  an  aim  to  improve  the performance of Indian athletes/teams. The LTDP covers all aspects, such as,  Development  of  Sportsperson,  Coaching,  Participation  and  Broadbasing,  Domestic  tournament  Schedule,  Participation  in  International Tournaments,  Hosting  of  Major  Events,  Facilities  and  equipment  etc. Nevertheless, medal estimation is not covered under the above plan.
- (d) & (e) Yes, Madam.  The Government has constituted the Olympic Task Force under the Chairmanship of Shri Pulella Gopichand, Olympian  &  Coach  for  preparing  action  plan  for  next  three  Olympic Games 2020, 2024 and 2028.

The Terms of Reference of the Task Force are:-

- To  suggest  a  comprehensive  action  plan  including  short-term, medium-term and long-term measures for effective participation of  Indian  sportspersons in the next three Olympic Games to be
- i. held in 2020, 2024 and 2028.
- ii. To  suggest  effective  methods  to  identify  core  probable/medal prospects for 2020 Olympics, their coaches and support staff.
- iii. To  suggest  effective  talent  identification  system  for  2024  and 2028 Olympics.
- iv. To identify  components of  world  class  support  system  for  elite sportspersons and lay down the pathways.
- v. To  suggest  ways  to  achieve  synergy  in  the  efforts  of  key stakeholders within Government  of  India and across State Governments, Indian Olympic Association, National Sports Federations, NGOs etc.
- vi. To  suggest  ways  to  significantly  improve  the  standards  of coaching and sports scientist within the country.
- vii. To  suggest  ways  to  create  and  upgrade  sports  infrastructure necessary to train top-level athletes.
- viii. To make suggestions regarding foreign training and exposure of top-level athletes.
- ix. To make recommendations on any other matters referred to the Task Force by the Government of India.

The Task Force has submitted its interim report to the Government.

Further, review of performance and taking measures for providing maximum  assistance to sportspersons is an ongoing process.  The  Department  had  held  consultations  with  various  stake holders including eminent sportspersons, coaches and National Sports Federations (NSFs), etc. in an effort to improve India's performance in future  competitions.  It  has  been  decided,  among  others,  to  enhance performance  monitoring,  emphasize  on  greater  role  of  coaches  in devising  training  programmes  of  medal  prospects  and  strengthen sports  science  set  up.  National  Observers  have  been  appointed  in select disciplines to support athletes and the federations.

Although promotion and development of sport in the country is responsibility of the concerned National Sports Federation (NSF) and State Governments & UTs, the Government supplements the efforts of the NSFs by providing financial assistance for various purposes under its  Scheme  of  Assistance  to  National  Sports  Federations.  Under  this scheme,  identified  promising  sportspersons/teams  are  provided  with all  the  requisite  facilities  for  their  preparations,  such  as  wholesome nutritious diet, food supplements, equipment, state-of-the-art infrastructure, lodging & travelling facilities, services of reputed Indian and Foreign Coaches/Supporting staff, Scientific & Medical supports, Sports  Kit  etc.  besides  financial  assistance  for  their  abroad  training and participation in International Competitions in India and abroad. Further,  NSFs  have  been  advised  by  the  Department  to  identify medal prospects and their support staff for the 2020 Olympic Games so as to ensure that the core probable get support of dedicated world class  support  staff  on  a  continuing  basis  to  be  able  to  work  as  a coherent team and deliver.

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