The performance of Indian sportspersons at major international events is steadily improving as indicated hereunder:
Ø In XXVIII Olympic Games, 2004 held at Athens, Greece, India won the first silver medal in individual event (Double Trap Shooting) since Independence.
Ø In XII Paralympic Games, 2004, held at Athens, Greece, India won one gold medal (Javelin) and one silver medal (Power lifting).
Ø In XVII Commonwealth Games, 2002 held at Manchester, U.K. India won 69 Medals (30 Gold, 22 Silver and 17 Bronze) and secured 4th position.
Ø In XIV Asian Games, 2002 held at Busan, South Korea India won 36 Medals (11 Gold, 12 Silver and 13 Bronze) and secured 7th position.
Ø In 1st Afro-Asian Games, 2003 held at Hyderabad India secure 80 medals (19 Gold, 32 Silver and 29 Bronze) and secured 2nd position.
Ø In the SAF Games, 2004 held at Islamabad, Pakistan India secured 191 medals (101 Gold, 59 Silver and 31 Bronze) and secured 1st position.
Government of India supports and supplements the efforts of National Sports Federations. Government of India, in addition to providing sports infrastructure, under Sports Authority of India (SAI) is taking the following steps to improve the performance of sportspersons in International games:
Ø Finalisation and implementation of Long Term Development Plans (LTDPs) for various sports disciplines in consultation with the concerned National Sports Federations, former international sportspersons and sports/scientists experts.
Ø Provision of equipment and scientific support to sportspersons.
Ø Intensive coaching of the players by Indian and foreign coaches in coaching camps.
Ø Intensive training abroad to the teams as well Indian Coaches.
Ø Financial assistance to concerned federations for participation of sportspersons in international tournaments.
Ø The outstanding boys and girls are provided scholarships so that they can have nutritious diet, sports equipment support and be able to pursue sports as a career. Scholarships are also given for research in sports.
Ø Assistance for purchase of equipment, scientific support and training and participation within the country and abroad is proved under the ‘scheme relating to Talent Search and Training’ and the ‘National Sports Development Fund’.
Ø With a view to broad basing of sports and scouting for talent at a young age, the Government is assisting Army under ‘Army Boys Sports Company Scheme’ (ABSC). In addition to eight existing ABSCs, ten more ABSCs have been sanctioned during the year 2004-05.
Ø 25 Navodaya Vidyalayas have been approved during 2004-05 for adoption under the National Talent Search Contest Scheme (NTSC).
This information was given by Shri Sunil Dutt, Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.
VBA/SK/4/2005