Lok Sabha Question No. 2685 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-12-14
Subject: Promotion of Winter Sports
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: L.S. Tejasvi Surya

## Government of India Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports (Department of Sports)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2685 TO BE ANSWERD ON 14.12.2021

## PROMOTION OF WINTER SPORTS

2685. SHRI L.S. TEJASVI SURYA:

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

- (a) the details and the number  of recognised Winter Sports Federations  in  the  country  along  with  the  details  of  State  where they are based;
- (b)  the steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  accord recognition to Winter Sports Federations;
- (c) the steps taken by the Government to promote winter sports and Winter Sports Federations;
- (d)    whether    the    Government    has    recognised    the  scope  of development of winter sports, especially in the Himalayan region of the country, if so, the details thereof and the steps taken up by the Government to develop hubs in the Himalayas;
- (e) whether the Government is considering tying up with  the  tourist sector  to  develop  skiing  and  other winter sports resorts in such regions, if so, the details thereof?

## THE MINISTER OF YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS

## ANSWER [SHRI ANURAG SINGH THAKUR]

(a) to (c) Promotion and development of specific sports disciplines is  mainly  the  responsibility  of  the    concerned    National    Sports Federations    (NSFs).  Government  supplements  the  efforts  of  the NSFs by providing financial assistance to them under the Scheme of

Assistance to NSFs for holding national championships, conduct of international events in India, preparation and participation of Indian sportspersons  /  teams  in  international  sporting  events,  equipment support, etc. The Government recognition is granted to the national level sports bodies. As and when any feasible proposal is received from  federations,  such  proposals  are  considered  as  per  the  laid down  procedure  under  the  National  Sports  Development  Code  of India,  2011.  At  present  no  NSF  has  been  recognized  for  Winter Sports.

(d): With  the  objective  of  promotion  and  development  of  winter sports, the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports has organized Khelo India Winter Games at Gulmarg (Jammu & Kashmir). The first Khelo India  Winter  Games  were  held  from  7-11  March  2020,  which  saw participation of 955 athletes in the disciplines of Snow Skiing, Snow Rugby, Snow Ice Stock, Snow Baseball, Snow Mountaineering, Snow Shoe, Ice Hockey. The second Khelo India Winter Games were held in  the  disciplines of  Snow Ski, Ice Hockey, Ice Stock, Snow Shoe, Snow Ski Mountaineering, Ice Skating were held from 26 th  February to  2 nd   March,  2021  at  Gulmarg,  Jammu  &  Kashmir  with  787 participants.

(e): Development and promotion of tourist places is primarily the responsibility of State Governments/Union Territory (UT) Administrations.  Sports  being  a  'State'  subject,  responsibility  for development  of  sports  infrastructure,  including  skiing  and  other Winter  Sports,  lies  with  the  State  Governments  /  Union  Territory Administrations.

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