Lok Sabha Question No. 4370 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-19
Subject: Participation of Youth in Olympic Sports
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: Pinaki Misra

## MINISTRY OF YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA (DEPARTMENT OF SPORTS)

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4370 TO BE ANSWERED ON 19-03-2020

Participation of Youth in Olympic Sports

4370. SHRI PINAKI MISRA:

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

- (a) the steps taken/being taken to increase the participation of youth in the country in Olympic sports;
- (b) whether  there  is any  plan  to  boost  Olympic  sports  training infrastructure  in  the  country  especially  in  rural  India  and  non-metro cities;
- (c) whether any goal has been set for achieving a higher medal tally in the coming Olympics; and
- (d)  if  so,  the  strategic  plan  to  achieve  the  same  along  with  the  set timeline?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE)

FOR YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS (KIREN RIJIJU)

- (a) Khelo  India  Games,  National  and  State  level  competitions  in different sports disciplines and success of Indian athletes in international arena help create awareness and increase participation of youth in the country in Olympic sports.
- (b) Sports being a State subject, primary responsibility for promotion and development of sports including creation of training infrastructure for  Olympic  sports  in  rural  and  non-metro  areas  is  that  of  the respective  state  /UT  Governments.  Central  Government  supplements the efforts of State/UT Governments for bridging sports infrastructure gaps in States through Khelo India Scheme. Further, sports infrastructure  and  training  facilities  of  international  standards  are already available at 5 SAI stadia in New Delhi and at regional Centres of SAI across the country.
- (c) &  (d): Preparation of Indian sportspersons and teams  for international sports events including Olympics is an ongoing process. The Central Government is supporting sportspersons through National Sports  Federations  (NSFs)  for  their  training,  foreign  exposures  and competitions to enable them to obtain maximum quota for participation  in  Olympics  and  enhance  their  chances  of  winning medals. High priority category has been created to put focus on and incentivize  those  sports  disciplines  played  in  the  Olympics  in  which India has won medals in the last conducted Asian Games as well as Commonwealth Games or in which India has good chance of winning medals in Olympics. Presently, nine sports disciplines viz., (i) Athletics,  (ii)  Badminton  (iii)  Hockey  (iv)  Shooting  (v)  Tennis  (vi) Weightlifting  (vii)  Wrestling,  (viii)  Archery  and  (ix)  Boxing  have  been categorised  as  'High  Priority'  under  the  Scheme  of  Assistance  to National Sports Federations (NSFs).

Under the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), customized training and allied facilities are also being made available to medal prospects and high achievers. Extensive or special training is being provided to the selected athletes as per their  requirements  under  selected coaches / training institutes in India and abroad.

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