Lok Sabha Question No. 2934 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-08-05
Subject: Sports Stadiums Operating under SAI
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: Sanjay Haribhau Jadhav, Bhavana Gawali (Patil), Supriya Sadanand Sule

## MINISTRY OF YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA (DEPARTMENT OF SPORTS)

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2934 TO BE ANSWERED ON 05.08.2021

Sports Stadiums Operating under SAI

SHRIMATI BHAVANA PUNDALIKRAO GAWALI:

†2934. SHRI SANJAY JADHAV: SHRIMATI SUPRIYA SULE:

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

- (a)  whether only few stadiums are in operation in the State of Maharashtra thereby affecting the functioning and performance of sportspersons;
- (b)  the State-wise total number of sports stadiums being operated under the Sports  Authority  of  India  (SAI)  as  on  date  across  the  country  including Maharashtra;
- (c)  whether there is any proposal of the Union Government to privatise the said stadiums or some other sports stadiums under SAI;
- (d)  if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor and whether the Union Government has received proposal from States to build new sports stadiums in the country including Maharashtra;
- (e)  if so, the details thereof and the targets set/ action taken for the same; and
- (f)   whether the Government proposes to promote Indian outdoor sports in the country and if so, the steps taken and the funds allocated/released/utilised for the purpose so far, State/UT-wise?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER FOR YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS (SHRI ANURAG SINGH THAKUR)

(a) to (f) Sports  is  a  State  Subject  and  development  of  Sports,  including running of sports stadiums for training of sportspersons, creation of sports infrastructure, and promotion of sports, is the primary responsibility of the

State  Government  and  National  Sports  Federations  (NSFs).  However,  the Government  of  India  supplements  and  complements  the  efforts  of  State Governments  and  NSFs  in  this  regard  though  various  Sports  Promotional Schemes.

The Sports Authority of India (SAI) is responsible for maintenance and operation  of  only  five  stadia  in  Delhi,  viz.,  the  Jawaharlal  Nehru  Stadium Complex,  Indira  Gandhi  Sports  Complex,  Dr.  Shyama  Prasad  Mukherjee Swimming Pool Complex, Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium and Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Range. The other centres of SAI are operational on sites made available  by  the  respective  State/UT  Governments,  including  the  State  of Maharashtra.

There is  no  proposal  in  this  Ministry  to  privatize  any  stadiums  being operated  and  maintained  by  SAI.  Though  proposals  for  construction  of stadiums  are  received  from  various  States/UTs,  project  proposals  are sanctioned  according  to  the  parameters  of  the  relevant  Scheme,  i.e.,  the Khelo India Scheme, subject to completeness of the proposals, their technical feasibility, and availability of funds under the Scheme.

The Sports promotional schemes being implemented by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports cater to a number of Indian outdoor sports like Kabaddi and Kho Kho. Further, the 'Promotion of rural and indigenous/tribal games' vertical of the Khelo India Scheme and the 'Indigenous Games and Martial Arts'  sub-component  of  the  National  Sports  Talent  Contest  Scheme  being implemented by SAI, provide for development of rural and indigenous/tribal games of the country. However, since the objective of the Government is to promote  Sports  holistically  across  the  country,  grants  are  not  allocated State/UT wise, but are released Scheme-wise.

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