Lok Sabha Question No. 132 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-07-21
Subject: Sports Culture
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: ASHOK MAHADEORAO NETE, RAM PRASAD SARMAH

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS

(DEPARTMENT OF SPORTS)

LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 132

TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.07.2015

Sports Culture

†132. SHRI ASHOK MAHADEORAO NETE:

SHRI RAM PRASAD SARMAH:

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

(a) the details of centrally sponsored schemes implemented by the Government for promotion and development of sports in the country;

(b) whether the Government has taken special measures for setting up sports education and training institute in North Eastern Region;

(c) if so, the details thereof, State-wise;

(d) whether absence of sports-culture in the country is one of the main factors for the dismal condition of sports; and

(e) if so, the measures taken by the Government to bring a change in the attitude of parents and society towards the sports?

ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE)

FOR YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS

(SHRI SARBANANDA SONOWAL)

(a)	The Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports is implementing one Centrally Sponsored Scheme for development of sports, namely, Rajiv Gandhi Khel Abhiyan (RGKA) scheme. Under the (RGKA) scheme, construction of a sports complex (comprising outdoor playfield and indoor sports hall) will be undertaken in each block of the country, including the State of Gujarat, both for outdoor and indoor sports disciplines, on land measuring about six - seven acres at a cost of Rs. 80 lakh each (Total Rs. 1.60 crore). There is also provision of Rs.15 lakh for sports equipment to be provided by Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. In addition, annual sports competitions are also conducted under the RGKA to encourage mass participation. The Central Government is contemplating revisiting of the RGKA Scheme as funds are not forthcoming from the converging Schemes, viz, the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), the Backward Region Grants Fund (BRGF), the Additional Central Assistance for Left Wing Extremism Affected Areas (ACA for LWEAA), and the Non-Lapsable Central Pool of Resources – Central (NLCPR-Central).

(b) and (c)	Decision has been taken by the Government to set up a National Sports University in Manipur. The proposed University will be set up under an Act of the Parliament. Location of the proposed University has been identified. The total cost of the Project is Rs.523.50 crore. It will be implemented in five years, spread over the balance two years of the 12 th Five Year Plan and the first three years of the 13 th Five Year Plan.

(d)	Yes Sirs.

(e)	Non integration of sports and physical education with school curriculum, poor availability of infrastructure and weak competition structure at school, college and university level are mainly responsible for the poor sports performance.

To remedy the above conditions, the Government has taken a number of initiatives which are as follows :

1. Rajiv Gandhi Khel Abhiyan (RGKA) [erstwhile Panchayat Yuva Krida aur Khel Abhiyan (PYKKA)] for providing sports infrastructure facilities and competition structure through annual sports competitions to broad-base sports and encourage mass participation;
2. National Sports Talent Search Scheme (NSTSS) for identification of talented sportspersons so as to enable them to participate in National and International Sports events, win medals and bring laurels to the country.
3. Enactment of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009, making elementary education a Fundamental Right, which, inter alia, provides for

1. a play ground for each school;
2. A part time instructor for physical education in upper primary schools;
3. Supply of play material, games and sports equipment, as required, to schools.

In terms of the provisions of the RTE Act, no school shall be established or recognized unless it fulfills the norms specified in the Schedule attached to the Act.

Further, Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has made it mandatory for all schools affiliated to it to provide one compulsory period for sports upto 10th class and two periods in a week for classes 11 and 12.

In addition, the Sports Authority of India (SAI), an autonomous body under the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports has the following Sports Promotional Schemes aimed at talent scouting, imparting of training and provision of sports facilities in various parts of the country:

1. National Sports Talent Contest (NSTC)
2. Army Boys Sports Company (ABSC)
3. SAI Training Centres (STC)
4. Special Area Games (SAG)

Extension Centres of STC/SAGs

1. Centre of Excellence (COE)

It is expected that these measures would bring a positive change in the attitude of the society in general and parents in particular, towards sports.

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