Lok Sabha Question No. 1436 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-12
Subject: Sports Facilities in Rural and Tribal Areas
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: Kuldeep Rai Sharma, Subhash Ramrao Bhamre, Supriya Sadanand Sule, Amol Ramsing Kolhe, DNV Senthilkumar. S.

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1436 ANSWERED ON 12.12.2023

Sports Facilities in Rural and Tribal Areas

## 1436.  SHRI KULDEEP RAI SHARMA:

DR. SUBHASH RAMRAO BHAMRE:

SHRIMATI SUPRIYA SULE:

DR. AMOL RAMSING KOLHE:

DR. DNV SENTHILKUMAR S.:

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

(a)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  construct  stadiums  with  latest sports  facilities  in  each  district  and  to  provide  such  facilities  in  already existing stadiums with the objective of increasing inclination of the youth towards sports and to prepare talented young players at local level itself in the country;

(b) if so, the details thereof, State-wise and if not, the reasons therefor;

- (c) whether the Government has taken steps to enhance the sports facilities in  rural  and  tribal  areas  so  as  to  encourage  the  talented  youth  of  these areas and if so, the details thereof, State and district-wise;

(d) the details of future plans of the Government to identify the talents of school students and to provide them suitable opportunities and training to participate at international level in the country, State-wise  including Andaman & Nicobar islands, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu to enable them; and

(e) whether the Government is preparing any plan for any dedicated sports facility  in  the  country,  State-wise  including  Andaman  &  Nicobar  Islands, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu and if so, the details thereof?

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

(a) and (b) No Sir. 'Sports' being a State subject, the primary responsibility to  construct  stadiums  in  each  district  and  to  provide  such  facilities  in already  existing  stadiums  rests  with  the  respective  State/Union  Territory Governments. The Union Government supplements their efforts.  However, this  Ministry  has  sanctioned  340  sports  infrastructure  projects  (as  on 30.11.2023)  of  various  categories  across  the  country  on  the  basis  of proposals  received  from  the  State/UT  Governments  and  other  eligible entities.

(c)  One  of  the  sub-components  of  the  Khelo  India  Scheme, ' Promotion  of rural and indigenous/tribal  games ' , is specifically dedicated to the development of traditional sports in the country. The indigenous/traditional sports disciplines of Mallakhamb, Kalaripayattu, Gatka, Thang-Ta, Yogasana and Silambam have been identified for promotion by this Ministry under the Khelo India Scheme.

(d)  The  Sports  Authority  of  India  (SAI),  an  autonomous organisation under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, 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 financially to meet  out their educational expenses as per the norms of the relevant scheme. Further, this Ministry has adopted 09 schools 18 Army Boys Sports Companies, 02 Army Girls  Sports  Companies,  01  Navy  Boys  Sports  Company,  01  Airforce  Boys Squadron and 03 Sports Schools (02 Kendriya Vidyalaya and 01 Assam Rifle Public  School)  under  Khelo  India  Centres/  Khelo  India  State  Centre  of Excellence  of  Khelo  India  Scheme.  In  addition,  09  schools  are  covered under the National Sports Talent Contest Scheme of SAI. 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  Youth Games,  Khelo  India  University  Games,  Khelo  India  Winter  Games,  Khelo India Para Games, identification and training of young talents as Khelo India Athletes, assessment of fitness of school-going children, etc.

(e) No such proposal is under consideration in this Ministry.

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