Lok Sabha Question No. 1022 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-29
Subject: To Promote Sports Talent Persons in Rural Areas
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: Ms Iqra Choudhary

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. † 1022

## ANSWERED ON 29.07.2024

To Promote Sports Talent Persons in Rural Areas

† 1022. MS IQRA CHOUDHARY:

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

- (a) whether the Government has taken any measures for nurturing talents of the  sports  persons  from  rural  areas,  particularly  making  them  excellent athletes, if so, the details thereof;
- (b)  the  number  of  the  places  where  racetracks  and  related  infrastructure have  been  developed  by  the  Government  to  nurture  sports  talent  in  the State of Uttar Pradesh; and
- (c) the measures taken or likely to be taken by the Government for nurturing the new rising athletes and other sports talent?

## THE MINISTER OF YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS

## ANSWER {DR. MANSUKH MANDAVIYA}

- (a) 'Sports'  being  a  State  subject,  the  responsibility  of  development  of sports, including measures for nurturing talents of the sports persons from rural  areas,  particularly  making  them  excellent  athletes  and  creation  of racetracks and related infrastructure to nurture sports talent, rests primarily with the State/Union Territory Governments. The Union Government  supplements  their  efforts.  However,  the  Ministry  of  Youth Affairs & Sports implements the following schemes to promote sports in the country,  including  the  State  of  Uttar  Pradesh  for  nurturing  the  new  rising athletes and other sports talent:
- (i) Scheme of 'Khelo India -National Programme for Development of Sports'; (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 Scheme; (vii) National Sports

Development  Fund;  and  (viii) Sports Training  Centres  through  Sports Authority of India.

Details  of  the  above  schemes  are  available  in  the  public  domain  on  the websites of this Ministry and the Sports Authority of India.

(b) Thirty sports infrastructure projects, including two Athletic Tracks, have been  sanctioned  in  the  State  of  Uttar  Pradesh  under  the  Khelo  India Scheme of this Ministry.

(c) Several initiatives have been undertaken by Ministry to nurture new and emerging  athletes  and  other  sports  talents.  One  such  initiative  is  Khelo India  Rising  Talent  Identification  (KIRTI),  which  aims  to  identify  talented individual aged 9 to 18 years, through scientific testing methods.

Additionally,  under  the  Khelo  India  Scheme,  Khelo  India  Athletes  receive training  and  exposure  opportunities  at  accredited  academies  that  meet international  standards.  These  athletes  participate  in  the  Khelo  India Games,  which  adhere  to  international  technical  standards.  They  also compete  with national and international athletes at various forums, enhancing their skills and strengthening the country's talent pool for future national and international events.

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