Question : Promotion of Sports Activities

(a) whether the Government has formulated any scheme to promote the talents of sports persons of village level and to encourage them for national and international events and if so, the details thereof;

(b) the status of sports authorities in rural areas and the allocation made to sports authorities during the last three years, Statewise; and

(c) whether the Government has taken or proposes to take any steps to prepare a time bound programme to encourage talented children in sports at district level and to decentralize the sports activities and if so, the details thereof as on date and if not, the reasons therefor?

THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS
{ SHRI KIREN RIJIJU }

(a) ‘Sports’ being a State subject promotion of sports, including promoting the talents of sports persons of village level and to encourage them for national and international events, is the responsibility of State / Union Territory (UT) Governments. Central Government supplements efforts of the State/UT Governments by providing assistance through National Sports Federations, training in
Sports Authority of India (SAI) Centres and support under Khelo India Scheme.

(b) Sports authorities in rural areas are entities under the State/UT governments. However, details of funds released under Khelo India scheme during the last three years to sports authorities in States/UTs is given in Annexure.

(c) The Khelo India Scheme, through its vertical of “Talent Search and Development” envisages long term development of sporting talents identified from all across the country, including districts and rural areas, by supporting them with a financial assistance of about Rs.5.00 lakh per annum for a period of eight years. A total number of 2437 sporting talents have been identified for support under the Khelo India Scheme.
*****