Lok Sabha Question No. 2679 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-15
Subject: Centres of Sports Authority of India
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: P.K.SREEMATHI TEACHER, S.P. MUDDAHANUMEGOWDA, SUBHASH RAMRAO BHAMRE

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

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2679 TO BE ANSWERED ON 15.12.2015

Centres of Sports Authority of India

## 2679.  SHRIMATI P.K. SREEMATHI TEACHER:

- SHRI S.P. MUDDAHANUME GOWDA: DR. SUBHASH BHAMRE:

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

- (a) whether the standard of Sports Authority of India (SAI) Centres in  different  States  is  at  par  with  the  international  level,  if  so,  the details  thereof  and  if  not,  the  reasons  therefor  along  with  the measures being taken by the Government to improve the standard of SAI;
- (b) whether the SAI has any scheme to identify and nurture sports talents in various parts of the country;
- (c) whether the SAI proposes to start such new advanced training facilities for young sportspersons and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) the  details  of  the  proposal,  if  any  to  open  more  regional  SAI centres across the country; and
- (e) the  details  of  the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  produce sportspersons of international standards?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS (SHRI SARBANANDA SONOWAL)

- (a) The  sports  infrastructure  in  Sports  Authority  of  India  (SAI) centres varies with the level of users.  For the National Athletes who are  preparing  for  participation  in  major  International  events,  the facilities  provided  are  of  global  standard  and  specifications.  The

Sports infrastructure at SAI's Regional Centres and at some of the SAI Training  Centres  (STCs)  and  Special  Area  Games  Centres  (SAGs), where  National  camps  are  held,  meet  international  specifications. Providing similar infrastructure at all STCs and SAGs which form the foundation  tier  of  the  Sports  development  pyramid  is  not  required. the

However, they are given suitable facilities to carry out responsibility of talent identification and development.

- (b) Sports Authority of India (SAI) is implementing various Sports Promotional Schemes between the age groups 8 - 25 years to promote sports in the Country namely:-
-  National Sports Talent Contest Scheme (NSTC)
-  Army Boys Sports Company (ABSC)
- 
- SAI Training Centre (STC)
-  Special Area Games (SAG)
- 
- Extension Centre of STC/SAG
- 
- Centre of Excellence (CoE)
-  National Sports Academies (NSA)

Under the above mentioned Sports Promotional Schemes, talented sports persons in various age groups (Male and female) are identified and nurtured to excel at National and International level competitions.

- (c) & (d): Proposals for setting up of SAI Centres are considered on merit  basis  as  and  when  received.  While  considering  proposals detailed feasibility reports are called for from the concerned region wherein availability of talent pool and infrastructure etc. are examined.    Proposals  for  establishment  of  following  new  centres include the following.
-  STC at Uday Pratap Inter College at Varanasi
- 
- SAG at Dandeli  in Athletics (for Siddi tribes)
- STC at Vidyadharnagar , Jaipur in Athletic, Basketball, Handball
-  and Volleyball
- 
- Opening of SAG Centre in Kargil, J&K
-  Establishment of SAI SAG  Centre at Solal Gaon, North Lakhimpur, Assam
- 
- Opening of Regional Centre at Wathora, Nagpur
-  Setting up of STC at Nagpur

(e) To improve the performance of Indian athletes in International events, Government is supplementing the efforts of National Sports Federations  (NSFs)  by  providing  financial  assistance  under  the Scheme of Assistance to NSFs for various activities including training of sportspersons, purchase of equipment, national camps, engagement of foreign coaches, holding of International tournaments, etc.  All requisite support is provided in the form of food supplements, equipment, foreign exposure, training, etc to the medal prospects for Rio  Olympics  under  Target  Olympic  Podium  Scheme  (TOPS)  of National Sports Development Fund (NSDF).

Apart from the efforts made by SAI through its ongoing schemes, Sports  Academies  run  by  eminent  sports  persons  like  PT  Usha, Ashwini  Nachappa,  Pullela  Gopichand  and  MC  Marycom,  in  the discipline  of  Athletics,  Badminton  and  Boxing  respectively  were provided with financial assistance by the Government, and SAI has signed  MOUs to utilize their facilities for training of SAI trainees also.

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