Lok Sabha Question No. 138 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-21
Subject: Promotion of Sports among Tribal Youth
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: Adv Gowaal Kagada Padavi

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 138 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.07.2025

Promotion of Sports among Tribal Youth

138. Adv Gowaal Kagada Padavi:

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

- (a)  the  details  of  the  efforts  being  made  by  the  Government  to  promote sports among tribal youth to identify the talent at grassroots levels;
- (b)  whether  any  dedicated  tribal  sports  academies  are  operational  under Khelo India or similar schemes and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the number of tribal athletes participated in the national and international competitions;
- (d) the level of infrastructure and coaching support being provided in tribal areas;
- (e)  whether scholarships and incentives are available for the tribal sports achievers and if so, the details thereof; and
- (f)  whether  there  is  any  roadmap  to  promote  indigenous  tribal  sports  and games and if so, the details thereof?

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

- (a) 'Sports' being  a  State  subject,  the  responsibility  of  development  of sports, including promoting sports among tribal youth to identify the talent at grassroots levels, 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 and initiatives for the promotion of sports in the country, including among tribal youth to identify the talent at grassroots levels:

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

(b)  Under  the  Khelo  India  Scheme,  a  total  of  306  Khelo  India  Accredited Academies are operational, some of which may include athletes from tribal background also. The details of these academies are available at https://dashboard.kheloindia.gov.in.

(c) Sportspersons are selected based on their potential across all communities.  However,  majority  of  the  sportspersons  identified  under schemes of this Ministry belong to the rural and backward areas including tribal areas of the country and they are provided with regular training as per the approved norms under various schemes. Community-wise details are not maintained in this Ministry.

(d)  The  Government  has  undertaken  several  initiatives  to  strengthen infrastructure  and  coaching  support  in  tribal  areas  with  the  objective  of promoting  inclusive  sports  development.  Financial  assistance  is  provided under Khelo India Scheme, National Sports Development Funds (NSDF) and the  Scheme of Assistance to National Sports Federations (NSFs),  through creation and upgradation of sports infrastructure, training facilities, and the deployment of qualified coaches including in tribal regions. These schemes ensure  that  athletes  from  tribal  communities  have  access  to  essential components of high-performance training, including quality coaching, sports equipment, nutritional support, lodging, travel assistance, and scientific and medical support.

(e) Yes, Sir. Selected athletes, including those from tribal communities, are provided  financial  assistance  under  various  government  schemes.  This support includes provisions for expert coaching, sports equipment, boarding and  lodging,  sports  kits,  competition  exposure,  educational  expenses, insurance, miscellaneous expenses, and a monthly stipend. These benefits

are  extended  as  per  the  norms  approved  under  the  respective  schemes. Additionally,  under  the  Khelo  India  programme,  comprehensive  support  is extended  to  identified  athletes,  including  those  from  tribal  backgrounds. Each  Khelo  India  Athlete  (KIA)  receives  funding  of  up  to  ₹6.28  lakh  per annum.  This  support  includes  specialised  training,  access  to  world-class facilities, participation in international competitions, and a monthly out-ofpocket allowance of ₹10,000.

(f)  To  support  and  promote  traditional  and  indigenous  games,  especially those practiced by tribal communities, the Sports Authority of India (SAI), an  autonomous  body  under  the  aegis  of  this  Ministry,  is  implementing  a dedicated  sub-scheme  called  Indigenous  Games  &  Martial  Arts  (IGMA) under  the  National  Sports  Talent  Contest  (NSTC).  Through  this  initiative, SAI  provides  support  for  various  traditional  games  including  Silambam, Kalaripayatu, Malkhamb, Khomlainai, Gatka, Mukna, Thang-Ta, and Kabaddi.

Further,  under  the  Khelo  India  Scheme,  a  specific  sub-component  called 'Promotion  of  Rural/Indigenous  &  Tribal  Games'  has  been  introduced  to revive and encourage indigenous sports. This component presently supports games such as Kalaripayatu, Malkhamb, Gatka, Yogasana, and Thang-Ta.

In  addition,  to  give  further  impetus  to  these  games,  the  Government  has introduced  the  Indigenous  Games  League,  aimed  at  creating  a  structured competitive  platform  for  indigenous  disciplines.  As  part  of  this  effort,  the first  Indigenous  Games  League  events  were  successfully  conducted  in Gatka  and  Thang-Ta  during  January  and  February  at  Patiala  and  Imphal, respectively.

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