(a) the details of the steps taken by the Government for continuous development of traditional sports of tribal communities and for providing best facilities and support to the youth;

(b) the details of the future plan made by the Government to identify the talent of school children and to give them proper opportunities and training so as to help them in collateral participation at international competitions; and

(c) the details of the proposals made by the Government to utilize the potential experience of the experienced athletes who have performed remarkably in the international tournaments?

THE MINISTER OF YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS
{ SHRI ANURAG SINGH THAKUR }

(a) ‘Sports’ being a State subject, the responsibility of development of traditional sports of tribal communities and providing best facilities and support to the youth rests primarily with the respective State/Union Territory Governments. The Union Government supplements their efforts. One of the verticals of the Khelo India Scheme, “Promotion of rural and indigenous/tribal games”, is dedicated specifically to the development of traditional sports in the country. The indigenous sports disciplines of Mallakhamb, Kalaripayattu, Gatka, Thang-Ta, Yogasana and Silambam have been identified for promotion by this Ministry under the Khelo India Scheme.

(b) The Sports Authority of India (SAI) has 90 Extension Centres most of which are operational in schools across the country. Almost all the athletes under the SAI Sports Promotional Schemes are school/college-going students who are encouraged to participate in the school/university competitions. They are also supported by SAI in their educational expenses as per the norms of the relevant scheme. This Ministry has adopted 09 schools and 28 Army Boys Sports Companies as State Level Khelo India Centres under the Khelo India Scheme and 10 schools are covered under the National Sports Talent Contest Scheme of the Sports Authority of India. Further, under the Khelo India Scheme, this Ministry has taken a number of initiatives to cater to young talents in the country, such as conducting of Khelo India School/Youth Games, Khelo India Under-17 Girls Football League, identification and training of young talents as Khelo India Athletes, assessment of fitness of school-going children, etc.

(c) In order to utilise the potential experience of the experienced athletes, Sports Authority of India recruits the sportspersons as coaches. 5% posts are reserved for Olympians and 1% posts for Paralympian at the entry cadre. 3% posts are reserved for Medal Winning Olympians or representation in 02 Olympic Games and 2% posts are for medal winning Paralympians in the grade of Coach (Level-10). The recruitment rules for appointment of coaches in SAI have been amended recently to facilitate the appointment of former players on contract and deputation basis. Accordingly, 416 former sportspersons have been given offer of appointments. Further, as a part of Government’s vision to strengthen the sports ecosystem in the country at the grassroots level, a low-cost, effective sports training mechanism has been developed with past “Champion Athletes” as Coaches and Mentors for the trainees at the Khelo India Centres which would also ensure a sustained source of income for them.