Lok Sabha Question No. 2087 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-09
Subject: Procedure for Selecting Children for District-level Games
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: Dr. Amol Ramsing Kolhe, Shri Mohite Patil Dhairyasheel Rajsinh, Smt. Supriya Sule, Shri Sanjay Dina Patil, Prof. Varsha Eknath Gaikwad, Shri Amar Sharadrao Kale, Shri Bajrang Manohar Sonwane, Shri Bhaskar Murlidhar Bhagare, Shri Nilesh Dnyandev Lanke

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2087

TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.12.2024

Procedure for Selecting Children for District-level Games

2087.  SHRI NILESH DNYANDEV LANKE:

SHRI AMAR SHARADRAO KALE:

SHRI SANJAY DINA PATIL:

SMT.SUPRIYA SULE:

SHRI BHASKAR MURLIDHAR BHAGARE:

SHRI BAJRANG MANOHAR SONWANE:

SHRI MOHITE PATIL DHAIRYASHEEL RAJSINH:

DR. AMOL RAMSING KOLHE:

PROF. VARSHA EKNATH GAIKWAD:

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

- (a) the current procedure for selecting children from towns and villages to participate in district-level games;
- (b) the manner in which Government ensure that the selection process for district-level  games  is  fair,  transparent,  and  inclusive  of  talent  from  both rural and urban areas;
- (c)  the  steps  that  are  being  taken  to  ensure  that  children  from  remote villages and underserved communities have equal opportunities to participate in district-level games;
- (d) the manner in which the Government is promoting awareness of district level  games  and  the  selection  process  among  children,  parents,  and communities in towns and villages;
- (e) whether the Government has conducted any recent audits or evaluations of  the  selection  procedures  to  identify  and  address  any  gaps  or  areas  for improvement; and
- (f) if so, the details thereof and the other steps taken by the Government to provide  good and latest sports equipment for children in small towns and villages?

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

(a) to (f) 'Sports' being a State subject, the responsibility of development of sports, including  selection  of  children  for  district  level  games  from  towns and villages, conducting audits regarding selection procedures of athletes and providing sports equipment to children of small towns and villages in the  country,  rests  primarily  with  the  State/UT  Governments.  The  Union Government supplements their  efforts  by  bridging  critical  gaps.  However, identification and development of young sports talent in India is an ongoing process through various schemes implemented by the Sports Authority of India  (SAI),  an  autonomous  body  under  the  aegis  of  this  Ministry.  These schemes include the National Centres of Excellence (NCoE), SAI Training Centres  (STC),  the  National  Sports  Talent  Contest  (NSTC),  and  the  Khelo India Scheme. The aim is to identify and nurture talented athletes from both urban and rural areas, to excel at district, national, and international levels. The process utilizes globally accepted scientific methods  for talent identification, supported by platforms like the National Sports Talent Search Portal,  Khelo  India  App,  and  Fit  India  App,  alongside  assessments  and training programs for physical education teachers. The initiative is backed by  collaboration  between  various  stakeholders,  including  State  Sports Departments, to ensure broad participation and transparency. The process of selection of athletes under SAI Schemes is provided at https://sportsauthorityofindia.gov.in/sai/sai-training-center.

Further,  under  the  'Creation  and  upgradation  of  sports  infrastructure' component of the Khelo India Scheme, financial assistance is provided to State/UT governments and other eligible entities for procurement of sports equipment, including small towns and villages across the country. Further, financial assistance is also provided to Khelo India Centres and Accredited Academies for procurement of equipment. State-wise details of Khelo India Centres  and  Accredited  Academies  under  the  Khelo  India  Scheme,  are available at https://dashboard.kheloindia.gov.in/state-wise-khelo-indiacenters.

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