Lok Sabha Question No. 2117 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-03-15
Subject: Functioning of SAI Centres
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: S. Ramalingam, S. Gnanathiraviam

## MINISTRY OF YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA (DEPARTMENT OF SPORTS)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2117 TO BE ANSWERED ON 15.03.2022

Functioning of SAI Centres

2117. SHRI RAMALINGAM S.: SHRI GNANATHIRAVIAM S.:

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

- (a) the total number of Sports Authority of India (SAI) Centres functioning and the total number of sportspersons imparting training in these centres in the country;
- (b)  whether  the  SAI  has  established  adequate  infrastructure  to  provide proper training facilities to the sportsmen with a view to promote sports activities in the country;
- (c) if so, the details thereof regarding such infrastructure developed and the steps being undertaken presently/achievements made and long term plan evolved, State/UT-wise;
- (d) whether the Government has any proposal to increase SAI Centres to increase  the  seats  for  sportspersons  at  all  such  centres  in  the  country particularly in Tamil Nadu; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof, if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS (SHRI ANURAG SINGH THAKUR)

- (a) A  total  of  188  Sports  Authority  of  India  (SAI)  Centres  including National Centre of Excellence (NCOEs), SAI Training Centres (STCs) and

its Extension Centres, are functional for implementation of various sports promotional  schemes  of  SAI.  At  present,  a  total of  7998  talented sportspersons are being trained in 36 sports disciplines on residential and non-residential basis in these centres.

(b) & (c) 'Sports'  being  a  State  subject,  the  primarily  responsibility  of promotion  of  sports  activities  across  the  country,  rests  with  respective Governments  of  State/  Union  Territory.  However,  Central  Government supplements  the  efforts  of  State/UT  Governments  and  National  Sports Federations  (NSFs)  through  its  various  schemes  such  as  Khelo  India, Assistance  to  National  Sports  Federations  and  by  providing  training facilities in various Sports Authority of India (SAI) centres.

Besides,  the  Sports  infrastructure  facilities  available  with  Sports Authority  of  India  (SAI)  have  sufficient  capacity  to  cater  to  the  training needs of a large number of athletes including high performance training to elite  athletes.  Also,  the  Ministry  of  Youth  Affairs  and  Sports  (MYAS),  by merging  the  existing  scheme  under  Sports  Authority  of  India  (SAI),  has established 23 NCoEs across the Country to impart specialized training to promising athletes by providing state-of-the-art infrastructure and training facilities, sports science backup, individualized diet prescribed by trained nutritionists with  overall  supervision  of  the  best  coaches,  qualified support staff and High Performance Directors.

(d) & (e): SAI  has  recently  undertaken  restructuring  exercise  of  the existing Sports Promotional Schemes. In view of the available resources, it  has been decided to focus on the existing centres in identified sports disciplines, with a view of prepare athletes for major international events including Asian Games, Commonwealth  Games  &  Olympic Games. However, creation and development of sports infrastructure is a continuous  process,  which  depends  on  availability  of  funds  and  local demand, etc.

In respect of Tamil Nadu, no such proposal is under consideration. Presently, SAI has been running three STCs in the State of Tamil Nadu at Chennai, Salem and Mayiladuthurai.

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