Lok Sabha Question No. 1135 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-12-13
Subject: Traditional Sports of Tribal Communities
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: Gyaneshwar Patil

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. †1135 ANSWERED ON 13.12.2022

## Traditional Sports of Tribal Communities

†1135.        SHRI GYANESHWAR PATIL:

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

- (a)  the  details  of  the  steps  taken  by  the Government  for  the  sustainable development of traditional sports of tribal communities and providing the best facilities and support to the youth;
- (b) the future plan of the Government to identify the talent of school children and provide them adequate opportunities and training so as to ensure this collateral participation in international competitions; and
- (c)  the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  utilize the  vast  experience  of experienced athletes who performed outstandingly in international tournaments?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS { SHRI ANURAG SINGH THAKUR }

- (a)  'Sports'  being  a  State  subject,  the  responsibility  of  development  of traditional  sports  of tribal  communities  and  providing  best  facilities  and support to the youth rests primarily with the respective State/Union Territory Governments. The Union Government supplements their efforts. One of the sub-component of the Khelo India Scheme, 'Promotion of rural and indigenous/tribal  games',  is  specifically dedicated to  the  development  of traditional sports in the country. The indigenous/traditional sports disciplines of Mallakhamb, Kalaripayattu, Gatka, Thang-Ta, Yogasana and Silambam have been identified for promotion by this Ministry under the Khelo India Scheme.
- (b) The Sports Authority of India (SAI) has 90 Extension Centres most of which are operational in schools across the country. Almost all the athletes under the SAI Sports Promotional Schemes are school/college-going students who are encouraged to participate in the school/university competitions. They are also supported by SAI in their educational expenses as per the norms of the relevant scheme. This Ministry has adopted 09 schools and 28 Army Boys Sports Companies under the Khelo India Scheme and 10 schools are covered under the National Sports Talent Contest Scheme of SAI. Further, under the

Khelo India Scheme, this Ministry has taken a number of initiatives to cater to young  talents in the country, such  as  conducting  of  Khelo  India School/Youth  Games,  identification  and  training  of  young  talents  as  Khelo

India Athletes, assessment of fitness of school-going children, etc. (c) In order to utilise the potential experience of the experienced athletes, SAI recruits the sportspersons as coaches. 5% posts are reserved for Olympians and 1% posts for Paralympians at the entry grade as Assistant Coach. 3% posts are reserved for Medal Winning Olympians or, for those athletes who have represented in 02 Olympic Games and 2% posts are reserved  for medal winning Paralympians in the grade of Coach. Also,  the  Recruitment  Rules  for  appointment  of  coaches  in  SAI  have been  amended  to  facilitate  the  appointment  of  former  sportspersons  on contract and deputation basis. Further,  as  a  part  of  the  vision  of  the  government  to  strengthen  the sports ecosystem in the country at the grassroots level, a low-cost, effective sports training mechanism has been developed with past 'Champion Athletes' as Coaches and Mentors for the trainees at the Khelo India Centres which would also ensure a sustained source of income for them.

****