Lok Sabha Question No. 2976 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-01-04
Subject: Performance of Players at Rio Olympics
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: BHAVANA GAWALI (PATIL), REKHA ARUN VERMA

## Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports

## Government of India Department of Sports

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO . 2976 TO BE ANSWERD ON 04.01.2018

Performance of Players at Rio Olympics

†2976. SHRIMATI BHAVANA PUNDLIKRAO GAWALI PATIL: SHRIMATI REKHA VERMA:

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

- (a) whether the Government has reviewed the performance of Indian players at Rio Olympics 2016;
- (b)  if  so,  the  details  and  the  outcome  thereof  along  with  the  reasons  for  poor performance at the games;
- (c)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  encourage  sports  amongst  young children at school level;
- (d) whether there is any proposal to create world class infrastructure facilities for emerging athletes;
- (e) if so, the details thereof; and
- (f) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS [COL . RAJYAVARDHAN RATHORE (RETD . )]

(a) & (b): Madam, Government has reviewed the performance of Indian players at  Rio  Olympics  2016  and  had  held  consultations  with  various  stake  holders including eminent sportspersons, coaches and National Sports Federations (NSFs), etc. Some of the reasons for poor performance are lack of professionalism and factionalism / infight in the sports bodies and long term strategies by the National Sports Federations. 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.

(c) To encourage sports amongst young children at school level, the Government has given recognition to School Games Federation of India (SGFI) and has kept it in 'Priority' category so that it gets maximum assistance under the Scheme of Assistance to the NSFs. The Government gives financial assistance to SGFI for holding National Championship, holding of international tournaments in India, participation of Indian teams in International tournaments abroad, holding of coaching camps, etc.

A  new  Central  Sector  Scheme,  namely,  Khelo  India  -  National  Programme  for Development of Sports is implemented by this Ministry. This Scheme consists of twelve  verticals  including  Annual  Sports  Competitions.  Under  this  component, Khelo India National School Games in respect of several sports disciplines has been planned by associating concerned NSFs and SGFI.

Apart  from  this,  Sports  Authority  of  India  (SAI)  is  implementing  the  following schemes across the country to identify talented sports persons in the age group of 8-18 years and nurture them to excel at national and international competitions:

-  National Sports Talent Contest Scheme (NSTC)
-  Army Boys Sports Company (ABSC)
-  SAI Training Centre (STC)
-  Special Area Games (SAG)
-  Extension Centre of STC/SAG

(d) to (f): Madam, National Coaching Camps for the elite sports persons / teams preparing  for  International  competitions  are  organized  at  SAI  Centres  where infrastructure,  services  and  facilities  at  par  with  international  standards  are available. In order to meet the critical infrastructure gaps in the national coaching camps including augmentation of existing facilities such as procurement of sports science equipment, recovery and rehabilitation facilities, etc., Rs. 83.00 crores have been provided to SAI during the current financial year from the Scheme of Assistance to NSFs.

Further, one of the components under the Khelo India Scheme is 'Utilisation and Creation/Upgradation of Sports Infrastructure', which has the following provisions:

- (i) University  Centre  of  Excellence  Programme  provides  for  grants-in-aid  to identified Universities for infrastructure, equipment, gym and equipment, recovery equipment, coach deployment, training for coaches, etc.
- (ii) Creation of Appropriate Sports Infrastructure provides for grants-in-aid to States/ UTs,  SAI, etc. to develop  critical sports  infrastructure  and  other infrastructure  where  there  are  gaps  including  for  sports  science  and  sports equipment.

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