Lok Sabha Question No. 495 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-07-22
Subject: Training to Sportspersons
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: A. Ganeshamurthi

## MINISTRY OF YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA (DEPARTMENT OF SPORTS)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 495 TO BE ANSWERED ON 22.07.2021

Training to sportspersons

495. SHRI A. GANESHAMURTHI:

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

- (a) whether  the  Union  Government  has  selected  newly  young sportsperson during this year to impart training in various sports to compete  in  various  sports  events  including  International  sports events;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Union Government proposes to set up more sports University across the country particularly in Tamil Nadu to fulfill the above purpose/ motive;
- (d) if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER FOR YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS (SHRI ANURAG SINGH THAKUR)

(a) & (b) 'Sports' being a State subject, the primary responsibility of  promotion  of  sports,  including  identifying  young  sportspersons and  nurturing  them  to  excel  in  National  and  International  sports events, rests with State Governments. However, the Government of India  supplements  the  efforts  of  State  Governments  and  National Sports  Federations  (NSFs)  through  its  various  sports  promotional schemes.

Sports Authority of India (SAI), an autonomous body under the aegis  of  the  Ministry  of  Youth  Affairs  and  Sports,  is  implementing the  following  Sports  Promotional  Schemes  across  the  country  to identify  talented  sports  persons  and  nurture  them  to  excel  at

national and international competitions:-

- National Centres of Excellence (NCOE)
- SAI Training Centre (STC)
- Extension Centre of STC
- ·
- National Sports Talent Contest (NSTC)

(its Sub-Schemes - Regular Schools, Indigenous Games and Martial Arts (IGMA) & Akharas)

Accordingly,  SAI  has  established  23  NCOEs  and  67  STCs  to implement  the  above  sports  promotional  schemes  across  the country.  A  total  of  189  Centres  including  NCOEs,  STCs,  Extension Centres,  etc.  are  functional  for  implementation  of  above  sports promotional schemes of SAI. Total 9025 Athletes (5579 Boys & 3446

Girls) are being trained in these Centres.

Under the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), the Government of India provides assistance to India's top athletes in their  preparations  for  Olympic  and  Paralympic  Games.  Selected athletes are supported with funding from National Sports Development Fund (NSDF) for customized training and other support not available under normal schemes of the Ministry. Out of pocket allowance  (OPA)  is  paid  Rs.  50,000/-  per  month  to  Core  group athletes.  Apart  from  OPA,  entire  expenditure  for  the  training  plan submitted by  the  sportsperson,  which  is  considered  and  approved by Mission Olympic Cell (MOC) is met under TOPS. At present, 147 individual  athletes  &  2  hockey  teams  (Men  and  Women)  as  core group have been selected under the scheme. Also, Under Development Group to ensure a focused approach in India's Olympic preparation the talent identification of 258 best sporting talents has been completed for 12 sports disciplines. TOPS Development Group athlete  are  receiving  OPA  of  Rs.  25,000/-  and  customized  training support at National Centre of Excellence (NCOE).

Apart  from  above,  the  Government  has  launched  the  Khelo India Scheme in 2017 with a mandate for identification of talent and nurturing sporting talent to attain highest levels of achievement at international  levels.  The  Scheme  covers  pan  India  i.e.  both  urban and rural areas.

At  present,  2967  (Male:  1494  &  Girls:  1473)  Khelo  India Athletes have been selected on pan India basis under Khelo India Scheme.  The details of Athletes under TOPS, Khelo India and SAI Schemes selected from January, 2021 till date are as follows:

|   TOPS Athletes |   Khelo India Athletes |   SAI Schemes Athletes |
|-----------------|------------------------|------------------------|
|              54 |                     22 |                    153 |

(c) to (e) At present no such proposal is under consideration.

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