Lok Sabha Question No. 654 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-02-06
Subject: Development of Sports Facilities
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: Malook Nagar

## MINISTRY OF YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA (DEPARTMENT OF SPORTS)

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. †654

## ANSWERED ON 06.02.2024

Development of Sports Facilities

†654.     SHRI MALOOK NAGAR:

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

- (a)  the details of the scheme proposed by the Government to develop sports  facilities  and  encourage  the  sporting  talents  in  the  backward areas of the country;
- (b)  the  details  of  the  scheme of the Government to encourage group participation among the youth in the Annual Sports competition;
- (c)  the  details  of  efforts  made  by  the  Government  for  redressing  the problems  such  as  wrong management  related  to  sports,  social  and economic disparities and lack of infrastructure; and
- (d) the details of the extent to which improvements have been made so far in this regard?

## THE MINISTER OF YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS

## ANSWER (SHRI ANURAG SINGH THAKUR)

(a) to (d): 'Sports' being a State subject, the responsibility to promote and develop sports facilities and encourage the sporting talents in the backward  areas  of  the  country  rests  primarily  with  the  respective State/Union Territory Governments. However, this Ministry is running various  sports  promotional  schemes  across  the  country,  including backward  areas  which  cater  to  all  the  sections  of  the  society including  youth.  These  schemes  include:  (i)  Khelo  India-  National Programme  for  Development  of  Sports;  (ii)  Assistance  to  National

Sports Federations (NSFs); (iii) Special Awards to Winners in International  Sports  Events  and  their  Coaches;  (iv)  National  Sports Awards; (v) Pension to Meritorious Sportspersons; (vi) Pandit Deendayal  Upadhyay  National  Sports  Welfare  Scheme;  (vii)  National Sports Development Fund; and (viii) Running Sports Training Centres through Sports Authority of India (SAI). Details of these schemes are available in the public domain on the website of the Ministry.

Under Khelo India Scheme- National Programme for Development of  Sports,  various  Competitions  such  as  Khelo  India  Youth  Games, Khelo  India  University  Games,  Khelo  India  Winter  Games  and  Khelo India  Para  Games  are  held  to  encourage  group  participation  among sportspersons.    Further,  National  championships  by  the  recognized NSFs are also organised.

The  Ministry  ensures  that  Sports  Bodies  including  recognised NSFs  abide  by  the  basic  and  cardinal  principles  of  National  Sports Development Code of India 2011, such as age & tenure restrictions in respect of office bearers of the NSFs, conduct of fair and transparent elections, protection of athletes' interests etc.

In  addition,  various  schemes  of  Department  of  Sports  aim  at infusing  sports  culture  and  achieving  sporting  excellence  in  the country  thus  allowing  the  populace  to  harness  the  power  of  sports through its cross-cutting influence. They focus on the broad basing of sports  amongst  the  youth  and  the  promotion  of  sports  activities throughout the country.

Further, the athletes are provided with all requisite facilities for their  preparations,  including  food  supplements,  equipment  support, state-of-the-art infrastructure,  lodging,  travel,  services  of  reputed Indian  and  Foreign  Coaches/supporting  staff,  scientific  &  medical support,  sports  kit,  etc.  The  existing  sports  infrastructure  facilities available in the country have sufficient capacity to cater the needs of a large number of athletes hailing from various sections of the society.

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