Lok Sabha Question No. 2586 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-12-14
Subject: Encouraging Youths Participation in Sports
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: Pratap Chandra Sarangi, Mahendra Singh Solanky, Krishna Pal Singh Yadav, Rajbahadur Singh

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

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2586

## LOK SABHA ANSWERED ON 14.12.2021

Encouraging Youths Participation in Sports

2586.  SHRI PRATAP CHANDRA SARANGI:

SHRI MAHENDRA SINGH SOLANKY:

DR. KRISHNA PAL SINGH YADAV:

SHRI RAJBAHADUR SINGH:

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

- (a)  the  steps  currently  taken/being  taken  by  the  Government  to  increase international participation of India in the field of sports;
- (b) whether the Government is of the view that India can perform better in sports competitions at the international level including Olympic Games with increased participation;
- (c) if so, the efforts being made by the Government in this regard;
- (d)  whether  the  Government  is  considering  the  need  to  build  new  sports stadia or sports complexes to increase participation of youth in sports and to encourage them in this field and if so, the details thereof, State/UT-wise including the States of Odisha and Madhya Pradesh;
- (e)  the  schemes  being  implemented  by  the  Government  to  increase participation of youth in sports and provide benefits/facilities to the players along with the details thereof; and
- (f) the role of the States in this regard?

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

(a)  Preparation  of  Indian  sportspersons  and  teams  for  participation  in international  sports  events  is  an  ongoing  process,  which  is  supported through various schemes of the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports and the Sports  Authority  of  India  (SAI).  The  Central  Government  is  supporting sportspersons  through  the  National  Sports  Federations  (NSFs)  for  their training, foreign exposures and competitions to enable them to participate in international sports events and enhance their chances of winning medals. Further,  customised  training  of  elite  athletes  is  supported  under  Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS). Further, the Khelo India Programme has been launched with the twin objectives of mass participation and promotion of excellence in sports. Talent identification and grooming of the identified talent is being supported though the SAI sports promotional schemes, viz. 23 National Centres of Excellence (NCOE), 67 SAI Training Centre (STC), 29 Extension Centre of STC and 69 Schools, Indigenous Games & Martial Arts Centres  and  Akharas  adopted  under  the  National  Sports  Talent  Contest (NSTC).

(b) and (c) Yes, Sir. As stated in the reply to part (a) above, the Government has been implementing various schemes such as the Scheme of Assistance to NSFs, TOPS, Khelo India Scheme and Schemes of SAI so as to prepare Indian sportspersons and teams to perform better in sports competitions at the international level, including Olympic Games, with increased participation.

(d)  Augmentation  of  sports  infrastructure  is  an  ongoing  exercise.  Under Khelo India Scheme, projects for creation, development and upgradation of sports infrastructure in the States and Union Territories are being supported. So far, 267 projects have been sanctioned under the Khelo India Scheme in different States / UTs of the country, including four in Odisha and ten in Madhya Pradesh.

(e) and (f) Sports being a State subject, the responsibility for promotion and development of sports, including increased participation of youth in sports and  provide  requisite  sports  facilities  rests  primarily  with  the  State/UT

Governments. However, the Central Government supplements their efforts. To  support  the  efforts  of  the  State/UT  Governments,  this  Ministry  is implementing  various  Sports  Promotion  Schemes  through  SAI  across  the country to identify talented sportspersons in various age groups and nurture them to excel at national and international levels. The selected trainees are provided support in the form of expert coaches, sports equipment, boarding and  lodging, sports kit, competition exposure, educational  expenses, medical/insurance and stipend as per the approved norms of the schemes.

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