Lok Sabha Question No. 1624 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-20
Subject: Young Sports Talent
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: BHEEMRAO BASWANTHRAO PATIL

## MINISTRY OF YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA (DEPARTMENT OF SPORTS)

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1624 TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.12.2018

Young Sports Talent

1624. SHRI BHEEMRAO B. PATIL:

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

- (a) whether the Government proposes to introduce new policy/measures for identifying and developing new and young sports talents in the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether the existing policy/ measures have been helpful in finding the sports talents hidden in rural areas; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof ?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS {COL. RAJYAVARDHAN RATHORE (RETD.)}

- (a) & (b) Identifying and developing new and young sports talent in the country is a continuous process being undertaken by this Ministry through relevant sports promotional schemes.
- (c) & (d) The  following  initiatives  have  been  taken  by  this  Ministry for identification and nurturing of sporting talents including those from rural areas :
- i. The revamped 'Khelo India -National Programme for Development of Sports' has a dedicated vertical 'Talent Identification  and  Development'.  The  relevant  provisions  of  the Scheme are given in Annexure - I.
- ii. A National Sports Talent Search Portal (NSTSP)  has  been launched  by  the  Sports  Authority  of  India  (SAI),  where  players, both  boys  and  girls  belonging  to  various  sports  disciplines  can register themselves and upload their performance / achievements in different sports events through an online application process.
- iii. The SAI has been implementing a number of sports promotional schemes across the country to identify talented sports persons in the age group of 8-25 years including those from rural areas and nurture them to excel at national and international competitions.

Presently, under SAI Sports Promotional Schemes 14143 talented sportspersons  (9843  boys  and  4300  girls)  are  being  provided  with regular sports training in 27 sports disciplines.

Further, under Khelo India Scheme vertical 'Talent Identification and  Development',  1518  sportspersons  have  been  identified  (upto 07.12.2018) for support under the Scheme.

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## ANNEXURE REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (c)  AND  (d)  OF  THE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1624 FOR 20.12.2018 ASKED BY  SHRI  BHEEMRAO  B.  PATIL,  MP,  REGARDING  YOUNG  SPORTS TALENT

Annexure - I

## Relevant provisions for 'Talent Identification and Development' under the Khelo India Scheme

The National competitions involving schools, colleges, Universities and NSFs under Khelo India Scheme, National Championships, and National Sports Talent Search Portal of SAI,  will  provide  a  platform  for  identification  of  talented  sports  persons  in  priority  Sports disciplines  in  which  the  country  has  potential/advantage.    In  addition  to  selection  of  prize winners,  the  duly  constituted  talent  identification  committee  may  also  adopt  globally accepted  scientific  methods  to  spot  and  identify  talent  in  various  sports  disciplines.  The identification  of  talented  sportspersons  will  be  done  in  a  transparent  manner  through competitive  performance  and  assessment  made  through  scientifically  designed  battery  of tests.      Further,  a  National  Talent  Search  Portal  has  been  launched  recently  which  will provide seamless access to upload individual achievements. In addition, the Gujarat model of mobile van will be adopted for carrying out scientific evaluation at remote places for better identification  of  the  talented  sportspersons.  During  the  talent  identification  drive  sporting talent  hubs,  discipline  wise,  including  indigenous  games,  shall  be  identified  and  duly mapped. Efforts will  be made through  sports academies  to  conduct  special  programmes  to encourage such specific sport / game in that area.

Out  of  the  talented  players  identified  in  priority  sports  disciplines  at  various  levels through different avenues, best talents in those sports discipline will be identified by the High Powered Committee and provided annual financial assistance, at the rate of Rs.5.00 lakh per annum,  for  a  period  of  8  years  under  a  Long  Term  Athlete  Development  Programme. Continuation of support to an individual athlete will be subject to his/her progress/performance in the identified sports discipline concerned, ensuring the best performers, having potential to excel at the highest level, are given continuous support and non-performers/  non  achievers  can  be  taken  out  of  the  system.  This  will  ensure  a  sizable bench strength that the country is lacking at present. Additional funding requirement, if any, shall be met through mobilizing CSR support.

An amount of Rs.10 crore annually will be earmarked for maintenance of the Online Portal, identification of sporting talents through different avenues,  including  through advanced scientific profiling,  short  listing  of talents  and  recommending  the  best  talents for providing  support.  Identification  of  sporting  talent  will  involve  conduct  of  pan-India  trials involving  about  50,000  to  1,00,000  children  by  Talent  Scouts  (to  be  engaged  for  the purpose),  in  association  with  States/UTs.  An  amount  of  Rs.50  crore  will  be  earmarked annually for providing annual financial assistance, at the rate of Rs.5.00 lakh per annum for 1000  athletes,  for  a  period  of  8  years,  to  identified  athletes,  under  a  Long  Term  Athlete Development  Programme.  Thus,  Rs.  60  crore  (Rs.  50  crore  for  talent  nurturing  towards

Training  /  Coaching,  Consumables &  Equipment,  Sports  Nutrition  support,  Sports  Science Support  etc.,  and  Rs.  10  crore  for  maintenance  of  online  portal,  Identification  of  Talent through trials, shortlisting of identified talents through Scientific profiling etc.). In the second year, when additional 1000 athletes are added, Rs. 110 crore (Rs. 50 crore each for first year and  second  year  athletes  for  their  talent  nurturing  and  Rs.  10  crore  for  talent  search  and development) and so on. The expenditure will be incurred on various components mentioned above and no fee/scholarship will be paid to the athlete.

Department  of  Sports  will  provide  financial  assistance  as  well  as  overall  guidance, supervision and monitoring. Implementation  will be through SAI  and  involve State Governments as well as reputed athletes and private bodies. International experts shall also be engaged for project implementation.

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