Question : Rural Sports Programme

(a) whether the Rural Sports Programme was started in the country for broadcasting games and sports and to tap the hidden talents in the rural areas of the country;

(b) if so, the details thereof along with the funds allocated and the expenditure incurred during each of the last five years and the current year under the said programme, sports discipline-wise and State-wise, especially in the State of Karnataka;

(c) whether the Government has any mechanism to monitor the progress of the said programme; and

(d) if so, the details thereof and the extent to which the said programme has been successful?

THE MINISTER OF YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS
{ SHRI ANURAG SINGH THAKUR }

(a) to (d) A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) to (d) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *129 ANSWERED ON 07.12.2021 REGARDING “RURAL SPORTS PROGRAMME” ASKED BY SHRI SANGANNA AMARAPPA AND SHRI Y. DEVENDRAPPA, HON’BLE MEMBERS OF LOK SABHA

(a) to (d) ‘Sports’ being a State subject, the primary responsibility for implementation of sports programmes in rural areas rests with the State/Union Territory Governments. Central Government supplements their efforts. This Ministry is running various schemes for promotion of sports as well as attaining excellence in sports through a number of sports competitions, training centres/academies, coaching programmes, talent identification and development programmes, etc. Most sports persons benefitting under these schemes come from rural areas. The ‘Khelo India – National Programme for Development of Sports’ of this Ministry aims at strengthening the entire sports ecosystem to promote the twin objectives of mass participation and promotion of excellence in sports across the country. It focuses on broad-basing of sports amongst the youth of the country and promotion of sports activities throughout the country, including the rural areas. One of the components of this Scheme, “Promotion of rural and indigenous/tribal games” is specifically dedicated to the rural sector of the country. Under this vertical, the traditional sports of Mallakhamb, Kalaripayattu, Gatka, Thang-Ta, Yogasana and Silambam have been identified for promotion and scholarships have been given to 283 medal winners. The Ministry is also promoting rural and indigenous/tribal games through the ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’ sports events and online documentaries. Grants have been provided for infrastructure development, equipment support, appointment of coaches, training of coaches and scholarships in the rural areas. A total of ? 29.44 crores has been spent for promotion of rural and indigenous/tribal games. State-wise details are not maintained in this Ministry.

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