The Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Youth Affairs and Sports Shri Sarbananda Sonowal has said that National Sports Policy 2001 aiming at broad basing of sports and promotion of excellence in sports is already in existence. In a written reply in the Lok Sabha today he said, Sports is a state subject and it is primarily the responsibility of the State Governments and the National Sports Federations (NSFs) to frame policy for promotion and development of various sports disciplines in the country. The Ministry only supplements the efforts of State Governments and the NSFs in this direction by providing financial assistance in accordance with the approved pattern under the following Schemes:
Rajiv Gandhi Khel Abhiyan (RGKA) [formerly Panchayat Yuva Krida aur Khel Abhiyan (PYKKA): Funds are granted to the Governments of States/Union Territories for construction of a sports complex in each block of the country for both indoor and outdoor disciplines and conduct of annual sports competitions, viz., Rural Sports Competitions, Women Sports Competitions, North East Games, and Competitions in Left Wing Extremism Affected Areas.
Urban Sports Infrastructure Scheme (USIS) : 100% financial assistance, subject to stipulated ceilings are provided to State Governments, Local Civic Bodies, School, Colleges and Universities under Central/State Governments, and Sports Control Boards for development of Synthetic playing surface (for Hockey, and Athletics) and for Multipurpose Indoor Hall.
Scheme of ‘Assistance to National Sports Federation’: for organizing national/international competitions, organizing coaching camp, engagement of foreign coaches, equipment support etc.
In addition, the Sports Authority of India (SAI) has the following Sports Promotional Schemes which are implemented uniformly throughout the country:
National Sports Talent Contest (NSTC)
Army Boys Sports Company (ABSC)
SAI Training Centres (STC)
Special Area Games (SAG)
Extension Centres of STC/SAGs
Centre of Excellence (COE)
Shri Sonowal said, State/UT wise details of funds released during the last three years under the erstwhile Panchayat Yuva Krida aur Khel Abhiyan (PYKKA) for creation and maintenance of playfields at village and Block Panchayat level and grants approved for creation of sports infrastructure under Urban Sports Infrastructure Scheme (USIS) during the last three years and current year are enclosed in Annexures I and II respectively. No fund has been released under the RGKA in the current financial year for construction of block level sports complex comprising outdoor playfield and indoor sports hall. Sports Authority of India also provides funds for development of sports infrastructure but does not maintain State/UT wise details of release of fund. Total funds provided by Sports Authority of India during last three years and current year under capital works is given in Annexure III.
Salient feature of the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Abhiyan (RGKA) Scheme is enclosed as Annexure IV. At present funds are being released to the States/UTs for conduct of competitions under the RGKA. Details are placed at Annexure V. Proposal for creation of infrastructure under RGKA scheme are being received from States/UTs and are under examination.
Funding Pattern:Â Sports being a State subject the states have to bear a part of the expenditure on sports so that there is a sense of participation and ownership by the states in this scheme. Hence the funding pattern between centre and state is in the ratio of 75:25 in respect of normal states and 90:10 in respect of special category states.
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Under RGKA, funds for development of sports complexes are granted to State/UTs Governments on receipt of the proposal from them subject to the proposal being in order, availability of funds and no utilization certificate for the fund released earlier to the state is pending, the Minister added.
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