Lok Sabha Question No. 2939 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-01-04
Subject: Promotion of Traditional Sports
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: RAJESH KUMAR DIWAKAR

## MINISTRY OF YOUTHAFFAIRS & SPORTS

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA (DEPARTMENT OF SPORTS)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2939

TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.01.2018

Promotion of Traditional Sports

## 2939. SHRI RAJESH KUMAR DIWAKER:

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

- (a) whether it is a fact that the Government is considering to promote traditional sports;
- (b)  if  so,  the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  in  this  regard  and  the details thereof;
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor;
- (d)  whether  in  the  past  the  Government  has  taken  any  initiative  to organise traditional sports events in the country; and
- (e) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE)

FOR YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS {COL. RAJYAVARDHAN RATHORE (RETD.)}

- (a) Yes, Madam.
- (b) & (c) A  Scheme  called  'Khelo  India  -  National  Programme  for Development of Sports' was formulated by the Ministry of Youth Affairs &  Sports  to  promote  sports  through  creation  of  sports  infrastructure and conduct of annual sports competitions in the entire country, and implemented from the financial year 2016-17. The earlier Khelo India Scheme,  which  has  been  revised  and  revamped  during  the  current financial  year  2017-18,  inter-alia  includes  a  vertical  of  'Promotion  of

rural  and  indigenous/tribal  games'.  Under  this  vertical,  in  order  to showcase our rural and indigenous/tribal games, annual competitions will  be  held  annually  under  the  Khelo  India  Scheme  in  rural  and indigenous/tribal games alternately. A dynamic and interactive website providing information on such games will also be put up. This will not only  help  disseminate  information  and  pique  the  curiosity  of  the present generation about these games but also encourage children and youth  to  take  up  these  games  in  a  major  way,  paving  way  for  their future mainstreaming.

In  addition,  the  Sports  Authority  of  India  (SAI),  an  autonomous organization under the aegis of this Ministry also promotes Indigenous Games  and  Martial  Arts  (IGMA).  Under  the  IGMA  scheme  SAI  has adopted 10 schools having a total strength of 168 trainees (104 Boys & 64 Girls) for Organizing Competition for Scouting Talent.

In  order  to  revive  such  games  and  promote  them  among  the masses, SAI has adopted the following  indigenous  games  disciplines for their promotion :

- a) Kalaripayatu, Kerala
- b) Silambam, Tamilnadu
3. c)
4. Kabaddi, Telengana
5. d)
6. e)
7. f)
8. Archery, Jharkhand
9. Malkhamb, Maharashtra
10. Mukna, Imphal
- g) Thangta, Imphal
12. h)
13. Khomlainai, Assam
14. i)
15. Gatka, Punjab

The  trainees  and  the  schools  adopted  in  the  IGMA  scheme  are provided  with  the  sports  kit,  accidental  insurance  including  medical, stipend, annual grant to the school for purchase of equipment and for organizing competitions for scouting talent.

(d) & (e) Under the erstwhile schemes of Panchayat Yuva Krida aur Khel Abhiyan (PYKKA), Rajiv Gandhi Khel Abhiyan (RGKA) and the prerevised  Khelo  India  Scheme,  annual  competitions  were  conducted  in identified sports disciplines which included Kabaddi and Kho-Kho.

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