Lok Sabha Question No. 1226 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-02-09
Subject: Autonomy in Selection of Sportspersons
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: JANARDAN SINGH SIGRIWAL

## MINISTRY OF YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA (DEPARTMENT OF SPORTS)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1226 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.02.2017

Autonomy in Selection of Sportspersons

1226. SHRI JANARDAN SINGH SIGRIWAL:

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

- (a) whether various sports authorities/ bodies exercise autonomy to ensure free and fair selection of sportspersons for various events;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the steps taken by the Government to  ensure  that  such  selections  are  made  in  fair  and  transparent
- manner;
- to  encourage  the potential  sportspersons  belonging  to  weaker  sections  for  various
- (c) whether  there  is any  special provision international sports events;
- (d)  if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  the  steps  taken  by  the Government in this regard; and
- (e)  the  other  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  encourage  the sportspersons  and  upgrade  their  level  of  standard  for  various international events?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS (SHRI VIJAY GOEL)

- (a) & (b): Government recognizes one National Sports Federation  (NSF)  for  each  sport  discipline  at  the  National  Level. NSFs  are  responsible  for  judicious  selection  of  national  team  for

participation in various international events based on merit following the guidelines issued by the Government.

With  a  view  to  ensuring  fair  and  transparent  selection  of athletes, Government has issued instructions to all the NSFs & IOA to  place  on  their  websites  various  details  relating  to  international events  held  in  India  and  abroad  such  as  notification  of  selection criteria  for  such  events  well  in  advance  along  with  the  details  of time  and  venue  for  selection,  list  of  core  probables  and  basis  of their  selection,  details  of  coaching  camps  organized  including venues, dates and lists of participants, list of the athletes selected, performance  criteria  which  formed  the  basis  of  selection,  actual performance  in  terms  of  timing,  distance,  etc.  and  the  position obtained by each athlete / team etc.

- (c) & (d): All  the  sportspersons  having  potential  to  excel  at international  level  are  treated  equally  irrespective  of  their  caste, religion,  financial  status  etc.  The  provisions  of  the  Scheme  of Assistance to NSFs are inclusive and equally applicable to sportspersons belonging to weaker section.

However, Government through Sports Authority of India(SAI) is  implementing  the  Special  Area  Games  (SAG)  Scheme  to  select sports  talent  mainly  from  the  tribal,  rural,  coastal  and  remote backward  and  hilly  areas.    The  trainees  in  the  SAG  centres  are being trained and provided expert sports coaches, required playing facilities, consumable and non-consumable sports equipment, expenses  towards  boarding  and  lodging,  sports  kit,  competition exposure, educational expenses, medical and insurance and stipend for day boarders as per the approved scheme norms.

- (e) Although Sports is a State subject, Government of India is running a number of Schemes for promotion of sports through which Government extends requisite support and financial assistance for promotion and development of identified Sports in India through its various schemes in the country.

Government  is  providing  full  assistance  to  the  identified sportspersons/teams for intensive coaching through national coaching camps organized by the Sports Authority of India besides providing  Foreign  Exposures  /  Competitions  and  State-of-the-art equipment and Infrastructure. Government  is also providing financial assistance to meritorious sportspersons under the National Sports Development Fund for personalized training/coaching under national /international coaches, participation in international tournaments held in India and abroad, purchase of sports equipment etc. In addition to above, Government of India is running a number of Schemes for the sportspersons such as Pension Scheme, Special (Cash)  Awards,  Sports  Awards  etc.  which  encourages  younger generation to take-up sports as career.

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