(a) whether the Government has constituted All India Sports Council to promote development of sports in rural, tribal and naxal affected areas, if so, the details thereof;
(b) the details of suggestions given by the Council; and
(c) the details of action taken on these suggestions along with the outcome thereof?
THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE)
FOR YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
(SHRI SARBANANDA SONOWAL)
(a): Yes, Madam. All India Council of Sports (AICS) has been constituted for advising the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, inter alia, on popularizing sports amongst the youth as a way of life; increasing outreach of sports to rural and tribal areas, areas affected by Left Wing Extremism (LWE), North East and Jammu & Kashmir; implementation of policies for promotion of sports and games in the country;
matters relating to promotion of inclusiveness in sports with special focus on women, differently-abled, tribals etc.
(b) & (c): The mandate of the AICS All India Council of Sports is advisory in nature.
Two meetings of AICS have been held so far. Some suggestions have been made during the course of meetings of AICS. AICS has suggested with regard to promotion of development of sports in rural, tribal, hill and coastal areas during the meetings that special drive is required to be launched to tap natural talent available in rural, tribal, hill and coastal areas, who are known for their excellence in sports through their traditional sports and games.
Sports Authority of India is already implementing Special Area Games (SAG) Scheme, which follows an area-specific approach to scout and nurture talent for modern competitive games and sports from tribal, rural, coastal and hilly areas of the country. The main objective of the scheme is to train talented and meritorious sportspersons in the age group of 12-18 years.
Further, Ministry of Tribal Affairs is also taking a number of steps for promotion of sports, indigenous schemes and martial arts in tribal areas under the Scheme ‘Vanbandhu Kalyan Yojana’.
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