Lok Sabha Question No. 3476 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-08-11
Subject: SAI Centres for Promotion of Circus/ Martial Arts
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: RAMACHANDRAN MULLAPPALLY

# GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

# MINISTRY OF YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS

# DEPARTMENT OF SPORTS

# 

# LOK SABHA

# UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3476

# TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.08.2015

# 

**SAI Centres for Promotion of Circus/ Martial Arts**

**3476. SHRI MULLAPPALLY RAMACHANDRAN:**

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

**(a) 	whether the Government is aware that the Sports Authority of India centre established at Thalassery in Kerala for promoting Circus and Martial Arts is neglected since its inception;**

**(b) 	if so, the reasons therefor and the steps taken in this regard;**

**(c) 	the number of coaches and other staff posted and the number of boys and girls undergoing coaching at the centre;**

**(d)	 whether the adequate sports infrastructure facilities have not been provided at the centre; and**

**(e) 	if so, the reasons therefor and the steps proposed to be taken in this regard?**

# 

**ANSWER**

THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR

YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS

(SHRI SARBANANDA SONOWAL)

(a) & (b): Sports Authority of India (SAI) centre at Thalasserry was established on 6 th May, 1990 with the objective to scout talented children hailing from the circus families in and around Thalasserry and to provide them exposure in modern sports. Promoting circus and martial arts was not its primary objective.    Initially, the focus was given to Gymnastics and 35 trainees were selected for coaching.  From 1999 onwards, SAI expanded its induction with the objective of further broad-basing of sports and providing other under-privileged children an opportunity to excel in sports and games.  This exercise also included introduction of other disciplines in addition to gymnastics.  These include Basketball in 2000, Fencing, Athletics and Volleyball in 2001 and Wrestling in 2015.  The discipline of Fencing was particularly introduced to provide an opportunity to trainees of Kalari Payattu, a local martial art, to excel in the modern art of fencing.  Every year SAI is inducting fresh trainees against the vacancies arising due to weeding out.  These freshers are mainly from the circus families.

(c)

| **Coaches Posted**                                                | **06 nos. (male)**     |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------|
| Athletics  Basketball  Fencing  Gymnastics  Volleyball  Wrestling | 01  01  01  01  01  01 |
| **Staff posted**                                                  | 03 nos. (male)         |
| Upper Division Clerk (UDC)  Bearer  Groundsman                    | 02  01  01             |

| **No of Boys and Girls undergoing training**      |                                                                                         |
|---------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Regular  Day Boarder scheme  Come and Play Scheme | 109 girls trainees  10 boys and 03 girls – Gymnastics  14 boys and 11 girls –Gymnastics |

(d) 	No, Madam.

Adequate sports facilities have been provided at the centre. The following facilities are available:-

1.	 80 bedded hostel for girls with mess.

2.	 Athletic field: Utilizing Municipal Stadium, Thalassery

3.	 Basketball Court: Utilizing Municipal Basketball   Court(cemented), Thalassery

4.	 Gymnastic hall :     One

5. 	Volleyball Court :    One (Mud Court)

6. 	Conditioning Hall: One

Future Plan

Multipurpose Indoor hall at SAI premises for which estimate is being prepared.

(e) In view of above, question does not arise.

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