Lok Sabha Question No. 1550 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-24
Subject: Promotion of Traditional Sports in Himalayan Region
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: NINONG ERING

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

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1550

TO BE ANSWERED ON 24.11.2016

Promotion of Traditional Sports in Himalayan Region

1550. SHRI NINONG ERING:

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

- (a) whether the Government proposes to organise annual sports events in Himalayan region to promote unique/ traditional sports of various States along the Himalayan region and neighbouring countries;
- (b) if so, the details thereof along with the categories of sports identified for the purpose;
- (c)  the  details  of  funds  allocated/utilized  by  the  Government  to  identify and  promote  such  sports  in  the  Himalayan  region  and  set  up  requisite sports infrastructure for the purpose during each of the last three years and the current year; and
- (d)  the  other  steps  taken/being  taken  by  the  Government  to  promote these sports?

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

(a) to (d) Finance  Minister  has,  while  presenting  the  Union  Budget  for 2014-15 on 10.07.2014, made certain specific announcements as part of his budget speech on new schemes/programmes, specific allocation, etc. for  implementation  during  the  current  fiscal.  He  made  the  following announcement:-

'Unique sports traditions have developed in the Himalayan region in a  part  of  it.  To  promote  these, India will start an annual event to promote these games and would invite countries such as Nepal and Bhutan also to participate in addition to the Indian states such as J&K, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim and the countries and the states that are the North Eastern States.'

In  order  to  implement  the  above  announcement  of  the  Hon'ble Finance Minister,  the  Ministry  of  Youth  Affairs  &  Sports  has  decided  to organise  annual  sports  event  in  the  Himalayan  Region  and  a  scheme namely Himalayan Region Sports Festival (HRSF) has been formulated.

Competitions will be conducted in following sports disciplines:

| (i) Archery    | (v) Judo        |
|----------------|-----------------|
| (ii) Athletics | (vi) Taekwondo  |
| (iii) Boxing   | (vii) Wrestling |
| (iv) Football  | (viii) Fencing  |

In addition, demonstration/exhibition of indigenous games & martial arts, most popular in the State/Country will also be organized.

First  HRSF  was  allotted  to  Government  of  Assam,  which  was expected  to  be  organized  at  Guwahati  in  the  month  of  February,  2016. However, first HRSF could not be organised as 12th South Asian Games were held at Guwahati during the period from 05.02.2016 to 16.02.2016. The first HRSF is expected to be organized in the current financial year,

2016-17.

Annual financial implication for organizing HRSF has been estimated at Rs. 5 crore.

Rs. 1.27 crore has been released during 2014-15 to the Government of Assam for doing the preparatory work.

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