Lok Sabha Question No. 711 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-07-25
Subject: International Level Competitions
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: Ramcharan Bohra, Poonamben Hematbhai Maadam, Raksha Nikhil Khadse, Manoj Kishorbhai Kotak

## MINISTRY OF YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF SPORTS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 711

TO BE ANSWERED ON 25.07.2023

International Level Competitions

†711. SHRI RAMCHARAN BOHRA: SHRIMATI POONAMBEN MAADAM: SHRIMATI RAKSHA NIKHIL KHADSE: SHRI MANOJ KOTAK:

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

- (a) whether it is a fact that the Government has undertaken several initiatives  to  ensure  preparations  for  Olympic/Paralympic  Games, Asian and Commonwealth Games and to increase the international participation of India;
- (b) the details of the various schemes which were implemented by the Government for the development of sports in the country;
- (c) whether the Government has taken any steps to enhance sport infrastructure  for  athletes  in  the  country  and  if  so,  the  details thereof;
- (d)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  increase  participation  of Youth  in Sports for better performance  at  international level competitions  including  the  Olympic  Games  and  if  so,  the  details thereof;
- (e)  whether  the  Government  has  any  proposal  to  construct  new stadiums and sports complexes to increase participation of youth in sports and to encourage them in this field; and
- (f)  if  so,  the  details  thereof  especially  in  respect  of  the  State  of Rajasthan?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS [SHRI ANURAG SINGH THAKUR]

- (a) to (d) The  Ministry  of  Youth  Affairs  &  Sports  through  Sports Authority  of  India  (SAI)  have  undertaken  several  initiatives  to ensure  preparations  for  Olympic/  Paralympic  Games,  Asian  and

Commonwealth  Games  and  to  increase  the  participation  of  our sportspersons in these events. In order to improve India's performance  at  Olympics  and  Paralympics,  the  Ministry  is  also implementing  the  Target  Olympic  Podium  Scheme  (TOPS)  since 2014. Under TOPS, the Government extends all requisite support to probable  athletes  identified  for  the  major  international  events, including  foreign  training,  international  competition,  equipment, services  of  support  staff/personnel  like  Physical  Trainer,  Sports Psychologist,  Mental  Trainer  and  Physiotherapist  besides  out  of pocket allowance of Rs.50,000/- per month to Core Group athletes and  Rs.25,000/-  per  month  to  Development  Group  athletes.  At present, 103 individual athletes and 2 hockey teams (Men & Women) as  core  group  have  been  selected  under  the  TOPS.  Also,  Under Development Group of TOPS to ensure a focused approach in India's Olympic  preparation  the  talent  identification  of  166  best  sporting talents has been completed.

Ministry  of  Youth  Affairs  &  Sports  is  also    implementing various schemes  for the development of sports and provide benefits/facilities  among  the  youth  across  the  country,  viz.,    (i) Khelo India Scheme; (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 (NSDF); and (viii) Running Sports Training Centres through Sports Authority of India.

The details of the above schemes are available in the public domain on  the  websites  of  the  Ministry  and  the  Sports  Authority  of  India viz., www.yas.nic.in/sports and  www.sportsauthorityofindia.nic.in respectively.

As 'Sports' is State subject, responsibility for creation and enhancement of sports infrastructure is that of State/Union Territory Governments. As far as the sports facilities in SAI are concerned, SAI has undertaken 29 Sports Infrastructure projects amounting to Rs.612.51 crore during the last five years.

(e)  &  (f)  Under  the  Khelo  India  Scheme,  financial  assistance  is provided for creation of basic sports infrastructure such as Multipurpose  Hall,  Synthetic  Athletic  Track,  Football  Turf,  Hockey Turf, Swimming Pool etc. A total 297 sports infrastructure projects including 48 in the State of Rajasthan have been sanctioned across the country which cater to all categories of citizens. Further,  SAI  undertakes  sports  infrastructure  projects  only  in  SAI Centres across India. There is no proposal at present for construction of new stadiums and sports complexes at SAI centres.

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