(a) whether the Khelo India Youth Games were held in Guwahati, Assam recently and if so, the details thereof along with the number of sports events conducted;

(b) the details of national level multidisciplinary grass root level games conducted every year under Khelo India Youth Games event;

(c) the amount of funds allocated by the Government under the Youth Games, State/UT-wise since its inception;

(d) the total number of students selected for scholarship under the said scheme;

(e) the details of the benefits likely to be availed by the players through this scheme; and

(f) the other steps taken by the Government to encourage sports throughout the country including Southern region?

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

(a) Yes Sir/Madam. The Khelo India Youth Games, 2020 were held at Guwahati from 10th January to 22nd January, 2020. The Games featured 20 sports disciplines namely, Archery, Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Boxing, Cycling, Football, Gymnastics, Hockey, Judo, Kabaddi, Kho-Kho, Lawn Bowl, Shooting, Swimming, Table Tennis, Tennis, Volleyball, Weightlifting and Wrestling for boys and girls under two age-groups namely, Under-17 and Under-21. A total of 6130 athletes participated from all 37 States / Union Territories of the country.

(b) The Khelo India School Games, 2018 were conducted at New Delhi from 31st January to 8th February, 2018 in 16 sports disciplines namely, Archery, Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Boxing, Football, Gymnastics, Hockey, Judo, Kabaddi, Kho-Kho, Shooting, Swimming, Volleyball, Weightlifting and Wrestling. The Khelo India Youth Games, 2019 were conducted from 9th January to 20th January, 2019 at Pune, Maharashtra in 18 sports disciplines namely Archery, Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Boxing, Football, Gymnastics, Hockey, Judo, Kabaddi, Kho-Kho, Shooting, Swimming, Table Tennis, Tennis, Volleyball, Weightlifting and Wrestling, which were followed by the Khelo India Youth Games, 2020 with 20 sports disciplines as brought out at Para (a) above.

(c) The Ministry spent Rs. 42.16 crore, Rs. 40.71 crore and Rs. 50.37 crore for organising the Khelo India Games at New Delhi, Pune and Guwahati, respectively.

(d) A total of 2747 Khelo India Athletes have been selected under the “Talent Search and Development” vertical of Khelo India Scheme. A total of 540 athletes have been shortlisted during the Khelo India Youth Games, 2020.

(e) The athletes selected under the “Talent Search and Development” vertical of Khelo India Scheme are provided free of cost training, including residential training. In addition, a monthly allowance @ Rs. 10,000/- per athlete is given.

(f) Sports being a State subject, the responsibility for encouraging sports, including in Southern region, rests with State/UT governments. The Central Government is running following schemes across the country: (i) Khelo India, (ii) Assistance to National Sports Federations, (iii) National Sports Development Fund, (iv) Special Awards to winners in International sports events and their coaches, (v) National Sports Awards, (vi) Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay National Welfare Fund for Sportspersons, (vii) Pension to Meritorious Sports Persons, and (viii) Running sports training centres through Sports Authority of India (SAI) under its various sports promotional schemes for encouraging sports as well as excellence in sports.

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