Lok Sabha Question No. 2508 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-04
Subject: Participation of Women and Girls in Sports
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: Smt. Poonamben Hematbhai Maadam

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2508 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.08.2025

Participation of Women and Girls in Sports

2508. Smt. Poonamben Hematbhai Maadam:

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

- (a) whether the Government has taken any steps to promote and encourage participation of women and girls in sports across the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government has taken any steps to ensure equitable access to training facilities and sports infrastructure for female athletes;
- (d) if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) whether the Government has established three Sports Authority of India (SAI)  training  centres  exclusively  for  female  athletes,  if  so,  the  details thereof?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS { DR. MANSUKH MANDAVIYA }

(a) to (d) 'Sports' being a State subject, the responsibility of development of sports,  including  taking  steps  to  promote  and  encourage  participation  of women and girls in sports and ensure equitable access to training facilities and  sports  infrastructure  for  female  athletes,  rests  primarily  with  the respective State/Union Territory Governments. The Union Government only supplements  their  efforts  by  bridging  critical  gaps.  The  Ministry  of  Youth Affairs and Sports implements the following schemes for the promotion of sports in the country, including for female sportspersons:

- (i) Khelo India - National Programme for Development of Sports;
- (ii) Assistance to National Sports Federations;

- (iii)  Cash  Incentive  to  Medal  Winners  in  International  Sports  Events and their Coaches;
- (iv) National Sports Awards;
- (v) Pension to Meritorious Sportspersons;
- (vi) Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay National Welfare Program for Sportspersons;
- (vii) National Sports Development Fund; and
- (viii)  Running  Sports  Training  Centres  through  Sports  Authority  of India.

Details  of  the  above  schemes  are  available  in  the  public  domain  on  the websites of this Ministry and the Sports Authority of India.

Further, the subcomponent 'Sports for women' of 'Promotion of Inclusiveness  through  Sports'  component  of  the  Khelo  India  Scheme promotes and encourage participation of women and girls in sports across the country. Accordingly, Khelo India Women League was started in 2021 to offer  opportunities  to  women  for  participating  &  excelling  in  sporting activities. It was renamed as ASMITA League which Stands for 'Achieving Sports Milestone by Inspiring Women Through Action'. Under this initiative, various  Khelo  India  Women's  Leagues  are  being  conducted.  As  on  date, women  leagues  have  been  organized  in  29  sports  disciplines  across  the country. Total 1310 competitions have been organized for Women athletes with 138875 participants. This initiative has significantly increased women participation in sports across the nation and has provided ample opportunities  to  women  athletes  to  compete,  learn  and  grow  in  all  age groups.

(e)  Yes  Sir.  In  order  to  pay  a  special  attention  to  women  sportsperson Sports Authority of India (SAI), an autonomous body under the aegis of this Ministry, has established the following four sports training centres exclusively for women sportspersons:

- i) NCOE Dharamshala (Himachal Pradesh) having 51 women athletes (Kabaddi & Volleyball)
2. ii) STC Badal (Punjab) having 71 women athletes (Athletics, Boxing, Hockey & Volleyball)
3. iii) STC  Thalassery  (Kerala)  having  92  women  athletes  (Athletics, Fencing, Gymnastics, Volleyball & Wrestling)
4. iv) STC Solalgaon (Assam) having 52 women athletes (Boxing, Football & Weightlifting)

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