Lok Sabha Question No. 1210 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-28
Subject: Grassroots Sports Development in Punjab
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: Dr. Amar Singh

## MINISTRY OF YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA (DEPARTMENT OF SPORTS)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1210

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 28.07.2025

Grassroots Sports Development in Punjab

1210.     Dr. Amar Singh:

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

- (a) whether the Government agrees that in order to improve India's performance  and  medal  tally  in  the  Olympics,  there  is  a  pressing need  to  focus  on  grassroots  sports  development,  investment  in infrastructure and comprehensive support to athletes;
- (b) if so, the details of the initiatives proposed or undertaken by the Government,  including schemes  for early talent identification, specialized coaching, foreign exposure, sports science support and financial assistance for promising athletes;
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor;
- (d)  whether  the  Government  has  any  special  policy  focus  or targeted programmes to engage and promote youth participation in sports in Punjab; and
- (e)  if  so,  the  details  thereof  including  efforts  to  help  Punjab  to contribute more gold medals at the national and international level?

## THE MINISTER OF YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS

## ANSWER (DR MANSUKH MANDAVIYA)

(a) to (c):   Yes, sir. The Government has taken various measures for achieving  excellence  in  sports  in  the  country,  including  at  the grassroot level. 'Sports' being a State subject, the responsibility of development and encouragement of sports rests primarily with the State/Union  Territory  Governments.  The  Central  Government  only supplements  their  efforts.  However,  this Ministry  runs  various schemes for the promotion of sports across the country, including Punjab. These schemes include:

- (i) Khelo India -National Programme for Development of Sports;
- (ii) Assistance to National Sports Federations (NSFs);
- (iii) Cash Incentives 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;
- (viii)  Running  Sports  Training  centres  through  Sports  Authority  of India (SAI); and
- (ix) National Centre for Sports Science and Research (NCSSR).

The details of these schemes are available in the public domain on the website of the Ministry (https://yas.nic.in ).

- (d)  &  (e):  Several  initiatives  have  been  taken  under  Khelo  India Scheme to engage and promote youth participation in the country, including  the  state  of  Punjab.  Under  the  above  Scheme,  29  Khelo India Centres (KICs) have been established in the state of Punjab. Punjab  also  has  01  Khelo  India  State  Centre  of  Excellence  for Hockey,  Boxing  and  Athletics.  Additionally,  Punjab  has  24  Khelo India Academies. Their details can be seen at https://dashboard.kheloindia.gov.in/. SAI also runs 01 National Centre of Excellence (NCoE) at Patiala and 3 SAI Training Centres at Mustuana Sahib, Badal and Ludhiana in Punjab.

Further, u nder the component 'Creation and Up -gradation of Sports Infrastructure' of the Khelo India Scheme, 328 sports infrastruc ture projects (including 12 in the state of Punjab at a cost of Rs. 106.19 crore)  have  been  sanctioned  across  the  country.  Details  of  these projects are available at https://mdsd.kheloindia.gov.in/.

*****