Lok Sabha Question No. 1456 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-09
Subject: Upgradation of Rural Sports Infrastructure
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: Shri Tharaniventhan M S

## Government of India Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports

## Department of Sports

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1456 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.02.2026

Upgradation of Rural Sports Infrastructure

1456. SHRI THARANIVENTHAN M S:

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

- (a)  whether  the  Government has assessed the current status of sports infrastructure in rural areas of Tamil Nadu;
- (b)  if  so,  the  details  of  the  deficiencies  identified  in  playgrounds, stadiums, indoor training facilities  and  availability of qualified coaches thereof;
- (c)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  extend  additional  financial assistance to Tamil Nadu for upgrading rural sports infrastructure under the schemes such as 'Khelo India' and the State Assistance to National Sports Federations and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) the details of the number of rural panchayats, schools and colleges in Tamil Nadu that have received funds for sports infrastructure development during the last five years and the current year, year-wise; and
- (e) the details of the steps taken by the Government to enhance sports participation  among  rural  youth, especially  girls,  SC/ST  youth  and differently-abled children through improved facilities and training support?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS [ DR. MANSUKH MANDAVIYA ]

(a) to (e) 'Sports' being a State subject, the responsibility of development of sports, including assessment of the current status of sports

infrastructure in rural areas, identification of deficiencies in playgrounds, stadiums, indoor training facilities, availability of qualified coaches, providing sports infrastructure in rural panchayats, schools and colleges,  and  enhancing  sports  participation  among  rural  youth,  girls, including  SC/ST  youth  and  differently-abled  children  through  improved facilities  and  training  support,  rests  primarily  with  the  State/Union Territory  Governments.  The  Union  Government  only  supplements  their efforts by bridging critical gaps. However, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports implements the following schemes for development of sports in the country, including in the State of Tamil Nadu:

- (i) Khelo India - National Programme for Development of Sports;
- (ii) Assistance to National Sports Federations (NSFs);
- (iii) Cash Incentives to Medal Winners in International Sports Events and their coaches;
- (iv) National Sports Awards;
- (v) Pension to Meritorious Sportspersons;
- (vi) Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay National Welfare Program for Sportspersons;
- (vii) National Sports Development Fund;
- (viii) Running  Sports  Training  centres  through  Sports  Authority  of India (SAI); and
- (ix) National Centre for Sports Science and Research (NCSSR).

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

The details of all sports facilities under the Khelo India Scheme, such as Sports  Infrastructure,  Khelo  India  Centres  (KIC),  Khelo  India  State Centres  of  Excellence  (KISCE)  and  Khelo  India  Accredited  Academies (KIAA),  across  the  country,  including  in  the  State  of  Tamil  Nadu,  are available  in  the  public  domain  on  the  dashboard  of  the  Ministry  at https://dashboard.kheloindia.gov.in.

*****