Lok Sabha Question No. 841 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-07
Subject: Promotion of Sports among Rural Youth
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: BHAIRON PRASAD MISHRA, PARAYAMPARANBIL KUTTAPPAN BIJU

## MINISTRY OF YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA (DEPARTMENT OF SPORTS)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. †841 TO BE ANSWERED ON 07.02.2019

Promotion of Sports among Rural Youth

SHRI BHAIRON PRASAD MISHRA:

†841. DR. P.K. BIJU:

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

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  introduced  any  policy/programme  for promotion of sports among rural youth in the country;
- (b) if so, the details and the achievements made in this regard; and
- (c) the details of steps taken/being taken by the Government to increase the participation of the rural youth in sports?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c) 'Sports'  is  a  State  subject  and  promotion  of  sports  in  the country, including promotion of Sports among rural youth is primarily the responsibility of the State Governments and the National Sports Federations (NSFs) concerned. The Central Government complements/supplements the efforts of the State Governments and the NSFs.  Government  is  already  running  several  schemes  to  increase participation of the rural youth in sports.

The Khelo India Scheme implemented by this Ministry provides for promotion of sports among entire population including rural youth. Also, the  scheme  has  a  dedicated  vertical,  viz.,  Promotion  of  rural  and indigenous/tribal games which provides for financial assistance to NSFs / Non Government Organizations (NGOs) etc for promotion of sports in the country including rural areas. Under this vertical various NSFs have been provided  financial  assistance  to  hold  competitions  /  events  in  various parts  of  the  country.  During  the  period  from  January,  2018  to  January 2019, a number of such competitions / events had been held at several places including in the rural areas.

Sports  Authority  of  India  (SAI),  an  autonomous  organization  under the  aegis  of  the  Ministry  of  Youth  Affairs  &  Sports,  is  implementing following  sports  promotional  schemes  across  the  country  to  identify talented sports persons in the age group of 8-25 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
- 
- Centre of Excellence (COE)
-  National Sports Academies (NSA)

Many of the sports persons identified under SAI Sports Promotional Schemes belong to the rural, tribal, backward, coastal and inaccessible hilly  areas of the country and are provided with training facilities in the form  of  expert  sports  coaches,  requisite  playing  facilities,  boarding  & lodging, sports kit, competition exposure, educational expenses, medical/insurance and stipend as per the approved norms.

In addition, Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS), an autonomous organization under aegis of Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, undertakes programmes  such  as  Block  and  District  level  Sports  Meets,  providing sports  material  to  Youth  Clubs  etc.,  for  popularizing  and  encouraging sports and develop competitive spirit among youth including rural youth. During  2017-18,  a  total  2965  Block  level  sports  meets  and  556  District level sports meets were conducted by NYKS.

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