Lok Sabha Question No. 1557 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-07-26
Subject: Traditional/Indigenous Games
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: R.K. Singh Patel

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. †1557 ANSWERED ON 26.07.2022

Traditional/Indigenous Games

†1557. SHRI R.K. SINGH PATEL:

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

- (a) whether many traditional games are being played as per the culture and tradition of various States;
- (b) the details of the steps taken/being taken by the Government to promote such  indigenous  games  in  the  country,  State/UT-wise  including  Uttar Pradesh; and
- (c)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  promote  the  development  of traditional games and if so, the details thereof?

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

- (a)  Yes,  Sir.  There  are a  number  of  indigenous  sports  being  played  in different  States  as  per  their  culture  and  tradition.  'Sports'  being  a  State subject, the responsibility to promote indigenous sports in the country and conduct special training programmes for the development and promotion of traditional  sports  rests  primarily  with  the  respective  State/Union  Territory Governments. The Union Government supplements their efforts.
- (b) This Ministry runs a Central Sector Scheme, namely, the 'Khelo India National  Programme  for  Development  of  Sports'  Scheme  (Khelo  India Scheme), of which one of the Components, namely, 'Promotion of rural and indigenous/tribal games', is specifically dedicated to the development and promotion  of  rural  and  indigenous/tribal  games  in  the  country.  Indigenous games  of  Mallakhamb,  Kalaripayattu,  Gatka,  Thang-Ta,  Yogasana  and

Silambam have been identified for promotion under this Component. Grants are sanctioned for infrastructure development, equipment support, appointment  of  coaches,  training  of  coaches  and  scholarships  under  this Component. In addition, Mallakhamb, Kalaripayyattu, Gatka, Thang-Ta and Yogasana  were  also  included  in  the  recently  concluded  third  edition  of Khelo India Youth Games at Panchkula, Haryana.

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 Youtube channel of MyGov India.

(c)  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 disciplines in these schemes include traditional Indian games, like Kabaddi, Archery, Wrestling, Kho-Kho, etc.

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