Lok Sabha Question No. 415 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-07-19
Subject: Encouraging Youth in Sports
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: Sujay Radhakrishna Vikhepatil, Shrikant Eknath Shinde, Rita Bahuguna Joshi

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 415 ANSWERED ON 19.07.2022

Encouraging Youth in Sports

415.  DR. SUJAY RADHAKRISHNA VIKHE PATIL: DR. SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE: PROF. RITA BAHUGUNA JOSHI:

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

- (a) whether the Government proposes to encourage youth belonging to poor families  of  rural  areas  towards  sports  across  the  country  and  if  so,  the details thereof, State/UT-wise;
- (b) whether the Government has initiated any schemes for the development of  sports/games  and  sports  institutions  for  tribal  and  hilly  areas  of  the country if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c)  whether  the  Government  has  any  plan  to  introduce  new  schemes  for nurturing sportspersons belonging to tribal areas and indigenous games and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the details of the funds allocated by the Government to develop training facilities for sports in the above mentioned areas?

## ANSWER

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

(a) The 'Khelo India National Programme for Development of Sports' of this Ministry aims at strengthening the entire sports ecosystem to promote the twin objectives of mass participation and promotion of excellence in sports across the country. It focuses on broad-basing of sports amongst the youth of  the  country  and  promotion  of  sports  activities  throughout  the  country, including rural areas. One of the componen ts of this Scheme, 'Promot ion of rural  and  indigenous/tribal  games'  is  specifically  dedicated  to  the  rural sector of the country.

(b) to (d) 'Sports' being a State subject, the responsibility of development of sports,  including  development  of  sports/games  and  sports  institutions  for indigenous/  tribal  and  hilly  areas  of  the  country,  rests  primarily  with  the State / Union Territory Governments. Central Government supplements their efforts by bridging critical gaps. The Central Government promotes sports/sports institutions all over the country, including the tribal and hilly areas.

Further, this Ministry implements various Sports Promotional Schemes across the country through the Sports Authority of India (SAI), viz. National Centres of Excellence (NCOE), SAI Training Centre (STC), Extension Centre of  STC, National Sports Talent Contest (NSTC) - (with its sub-schemes for Regular  Schools,  Indigenous  Games  &  Martial  Arts  (IGMA)  School  & Akharas), whereby services of expert coaches, sports equipment, boarding and  lodging, sports kit, competition exposure, educational  expenses, medical/  insurance  and  stipend  as  per  the  approved  scheme  norms  are provided. The sports disciplines in these schemes also include indigenous/ traditional  Indian  games  like  Kabaddi,  Archery,  Wrestling,  Kho-Kho,  etc. Additionally, with a view to promote traditional sports, support is provided to National Sports Federations (NSFs) looking after the sports disciplines of Silambam, Kalaripayatu, Mallakhamb, Khomlainai, Gatka, Mukna, Thang-Ta and Kabaddi for organizing sporting events.

Further, this Ministry has also made  documentaries  of various indigenous games in order to showcase and promote/revive them, namely, Gatka, Roll Ball, Tug of War, Kalaripayattu, Thang-Ta, Kho-Kho, Mallakhamb, Shooting Ball, Sqay, Kabaddi, Gilli Danda, Sikkim Archery, Dhoop Khel and Cowrie Khel, Paika Akhada and Chhau and Akhada Kushti, Hekko, Mizoram Games,  Silabam,  Lagori and Langadi.  The  documentaries  have  been uploaded  on  the  digital  repository  of  the  Ek  Bharat  Shreshtha  Bharat website, Facebook page of the Fit India Movement, Youtube channel of Fit India Movement and MyGov India.

State/UT-wise  allocation  of  funds  is  not  done  in  respect  of  the schemes of this Ministry. Details of allocation of funds to this Ministry for implementation of various sports promotional schemes, including development of training facilities in tribal/ hilly areas and indigenous games, during the current financial year is ₹ 2254.00 crore.

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