Lok Sabha Question No. 2173 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-03-15
Subject: Traditional Sports of Tribal Communities
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: Gyaneshwar Patil

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. †21 73 ANSWERED ON 15.03.2022

## Traditional Sports of Tribal Communities

†2173. SHRI GYANESHWAR PATIL:

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

- (a)  the  details  of  the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  for  continuous development  of  traditional  sports  of  tribal  communities  and  for  providing best facilities and support to the youth;
- (b)  the  details  of  the  future  plan  made  by  the  Government  to  identify  the talent of school children and to give them proper opportunities and training so as to help them in collateral participation at international competitions; and
- (c)  the  details  of  the  proposals  made  by  the  Government  to  utilize  the potential  experience  of  the  experienced  athletes  who  have  performed remarkably in the international tournaments?

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

- (a) 'Sports'  being  a  State  subject,  the  responsibility of  development  of traditional  sports  of  tribal  communities  and  providing  best  facilities  and support  to the  youth  rests  primarily  with  the  respective  State/Union Territory  Governments.  The  Union  Government  supplements  their  efforts. One  of  the  verticals  of  the Khelo  India  Scheme,  'Promotion  of  rural  and indigenous/tribal  games',  is  dedicated  specifically  to  the development  of traditional  sports  in  the  country.  The  indigenous  sports  disciplines  of Mallakhamb, Kalaripayattu, Gatka, Thang-Ta, Yogasana and Silambam have been identified for promotion by this Ministry under the Khelo India Scheme.
- (b)  The  Sports  Authority  of  India  (SAI)  has  90  Extension  Centres  most  of which are operational in schools across the country. Almost all the athletes under the SAI Sports Promotional Schemes  are school/college-going

students who  are encouraged  to participate in the school/university competitions. They are also supported by SAI in their educational expenses as  per  the  norms  of  the  relevant  scheme.  This  Ministry  has  adopted  09 schools  and  28  Army  Boys  Sports  Companies  as  State  Level  Khelo  India Centres under the Khelo India Scheme and 10 schools are covered under the National Sports Talent Contest Scheme of the Sports Authority of India. Further, under the Khelo India Scheme, this Ministry has taken a number of initiatives to cater to young talents in the country, such as conducting of Khelo  India  School/Youth  Games,  Khelo  India  Under-17  Girls  Football League, identification and training of young talents as Khelo India Athletes, assessment of fitness of school-going children, etc.

(c) In order to utilise the potential experience of the experienced athletes, Sports Authority of India recruits the sportspersons as coaches. 5% posts are reserved for Olympians and 1% posts for Paralympian at the entry cadre. 3% posts are reserved for Medal Winning Olympians or representation in 02 Olympic  Games  and  2%  posts  are  for  medal  winning  Paralympians  in  the grade  of  Coach  (Level-10).  The  recruitment  rules  for  appointment  of coaches in SAI have been amended recently to facilitate the appointment of former  players  on  contract  and  deputation  basis.  Accordingly,  416  former sportspersons have been given offer of appointments. Further, as a part of Government 's vision  to  strengthen the sports ecosystem in the country at the  grassroots  level,  a  low-cost,  effective  sports  training  mechanism  has been developed with past 'Champion Athlete s ' as Coaches and Mentors for the trainees at the Khelo India Centres which would also ensure a sustained source of income for them.

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