Lok Sabha Question No. 231 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-11-30
Subject: Encouraging Youth Participation in Sports
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: Ravi Kishan Shukla, Sanjay Sadashivrao Mandlik, Shrirang Appa Barne, Sudheer Gupta, Manoj Kumar Tiwari, Ravindra Kushawaha, Prataprao  Jadhav, Bidyut Baran Mahato

## Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports

## Government of India Department of Sports

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 231 TO BE ANSWERED ON 30.11.2021

## Encouraging Youth Participation in Sports

## 231.  SHRI RAVI KISHAN:

SHRI SUDHEER GUPTA:

SHRI RAVINDRA KUSHWAHA:

SHRI SANJAY SADASHIVRAO MANDLIK:

SHRI MANOJ TIWARI:

SHRI SHRIRANG APPA BARNE:

SHRI BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO:

SHRI PRATAPRAO JADHAV:

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

- (a)  the  steps  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 specially in North East Delhi Constituency;
- (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 AND 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  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, customized  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  SAI  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 National Sports Talent Contest (NSTC).

(b) & (c) Yes,  Sir.  As  stated  in  reply to part (a)  above,  the Government  has  been  implementing  various  schemes  such  as 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 Khelo India Schemes in different States / UTs of the country including 8 in Delhi. (e) & (f) Sports,  being  State  subject,  primary  responsibility  for promotion and development of sports, including increased participation of youth in sports and provide requisite sports facilities. However, the Central Government supplements the efforts of State Governments. To support the efforts of State Governments, this Ministry through SAI is implementing various Sports Promotion Schemes 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.

****