Lok Sabha Question No. 1930 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-08-01
Subject: Encouraging Sports in Marginalized Communities
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: Jagannath Sarkar

## Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports

## Government of India Department of Sports

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1930 TO BE ANSWERED ON 01.08.2023

Encouraging Sports in Marginalized Communities

## 1930.     SHRI JAGANNATH SARKAR:

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

- (a)  the  details  of  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  encourage  the inclusion  of  women  and  marginalized  communities  in  sports  and  to provide them with equal opportunities;
- (b)  the  extent  to  which  the  Ministry  is  promoted  likely  to  be  sports activities among differently-abled individuals and ensuring their participation in sporting events; and
- (c) the details of the funds allocated to promote  sports  among differently-abled  individuals  during  the  last  four  years  and  the  current year?

## THE MINISTER OF YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS

## ANSWER [SHRI ANURAG SINGH THAKUR]

(a): 'Sports' being a State subject, the responsibility of development and encouragement  of  sports,  including  that  of  women  and  marginalized sportspersons  in  the  country,  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  which  are  gender-neutral  and  cater  to  all sections  equally.  These  schemes  include:  (i)  Khelo  India  Scheme;  (ii) Assistance to National Sports Federations (NSFs); (iii) Special Awards to winners  in  International  sports  events  and  their  coaches;  (iv)  National Sports Awards, Pension to Meritorious Sportspersons; (v) National Sports Development  Fund;  (vi)  Sports  Training  centres  run  through  Sports

Authority  of  India  (SAI).  Details  of  these  schemes  are  available  in  the public domain on the website of the Ministry. Under the Khelo India scheme, there is a dedicated sub-component of 'Sports for women' wherein emphasis is laid on such sports disciplines where there is less participation of women. Under this component, Khelo India  Women's  leagues  are  being  organized,  and  exclusive  for  women sports persons competitions have been organized in 14 sports disciplines with a total participation of 23,963. (b) and (c): To promote sports among the differently-abled sportspersons, a  dedicated  centre  has  been  established  under  the  National  Centre  of Excellence  (NCOE)  Scheme  at  SAI  Regional  Centre,  Gandhinagar  for Para  Sports.  The  centre  is  operational  in  the  discipline  of  Athletics, Badminton,  Fencing,  Swimming,  Power  Lifting  &  Table  Tennis  (Para Sports). Further, all SAI Stadiums and training centres have been made differently-abled-friendly. At  present,  the  Paralympic  Committee  of  India  (PCI),  All  India  Sports Council  for  Deaf  (AISCD)  and  Special  Olympic  Bharat  (SOB)  are  being provided with financial assistance towards training of athletes, including requisite facilities for their preparations which include food supplements, equipment  support,  state-of-the-art  infrastructure,  lodging,  travelling facilities,  services  of  reputed  Indian  and  foreign  coaches/supporting staff, sports kit etc. For  training  abroad  and  participating  in  international  competitions  in India and abroad through the scheme of Assistance to NSFs, budget is approved  for  each  NSF  through  an  Annual  Calendar  for  Training  and Competition (ACTC). The details of funds provided to the PCI, AISCD and SOB through ACTC during last 4 Financial Years (FYs) and current year are given at Annexure.

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Annexure

The  details  of  funds  provided  to  PCI,  AISCD  and  SOB  through  ACTC during last 4 Financial Years (FYs) and current year.

(Rs in Crore)

| NSF   |   FY 2019-20 | FY 2020- 21   | FY 2021- 22   |   FY 23 |   2022- |   FY 24 |   2023- |
|-------|--------------|---------------|---------------|---------|---------|---------|---------|
| PCI   |           10 | 10.30*        | 10.30*        |   18.5  |   18.5  |   18.33 |   18.33 |
| AISCD |            2 | NIL           | 1.09          |    6.97 |    6.97 |    3.41 |    3.41 |
| SOB   |            6 | 0.38          | 5.02          |    5    |    5    |    7.76 |    7.76 |