Lok Sabha Question No. 1473 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-12
Subject: Sports Infrastructure in Tamil Nadu
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: Dayanidhi Maran

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1473 ANSWERED ON 12.12.2023

Sports Infrastructure in Tamil Nadu

## 1473. SHRI DAYANIDHI MARAN:

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

- (a)  the  details  of  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  enhance  sports infrastructure in Tamil Nadu during the last five years and the current year;
- (b)  whether  any  specific  schemes/projects  for  upgrading  existing  sports facilities or constructing new ones across the country have been planned/ implemented and if so, the details thereof along with the total funds allotted and  given  for  the  same  to  each  State  during  the  last  five  years  and  the current year;
- (c)  whether  the  Government  has  undertaken  any  programmes  for  the identification  and  nurturing  of  sporting  talent  at  the  grassroots  levels  in Tamil Nadu and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) whether there are any specific programmes for preserving and popularizing  traditional  sporting  activities  and  if  so,  the  details  thereof along with funds allocated in this regard?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS { SHRI ANURAG SINGH THAKUR }

(a) and (b) ' Sports ' being a State subject, the responsibility of development of sports, including enhancing sports infrastructure and upgrading existing sports facilities or  constructing new  ones  across  the  country,  rests primarily with State/Union Territory Governments. Central government only supplements  their  efforts  by  bridging  critical  gaps.  However,  under  the ' Creation  and  upgradation  of  sports  infrastructure ' component  of  Khelo India Scheme, this Ministry has approved 307 sports infrastructure projects (as on 30.11.2023) of various categories across the country on the basis of proposals  received  from  the  State/UT  Governments  and  other  eligible

entities, including from Tamil Nadu. State-wise details of sports infrastructure  projects  sanctioned  under  Khelo  India  scheme,  including  in the State of Tamil Nadu, are available in public domain on the dashboard at https://mdsd.kheloindia.gov.in.  Funds  are  allocated  scheme-wise  and  not State-wise in this Ministry. (c) Under the 'Talent Identification and Development' sub-component of the Khelo  India  Scheme,  identification  and  nurturing  of  sporting  talent  at  the grassroots levels is done across the country, including in the State of Tamil Nadu. In addition, Sports Authority of India (SAI), an autonomous organisation under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, implements the schemes of SAI Training Centres (STC) and Indigenous Games and Martial Arts  (IGMA)  across  the  country,  including  in  the  State  of  Tamil  Nadu,  to identify talented sportspersons and nurture them in various age groups.

(d)  One  of  the  subcomponents of the Khelo India  Scheme,  'Promotion of rural and indigenous/tribal games', is specifically dedicated to the development of traditional sports in the country. The indigenous/traditional sports disciplines of Mallakhamb, Kalaripayattu, Gatka, Thang-Ta, Yogasana and Silambam have been identified for promotion by this Ministry under the Khelo India Scheme. In Financial Year 2023-24, an amount of Rs. 800 crore has been allocated for execution of the Khelo India Scheme, including for development of traditional sports.

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