Question : Functioning of SAI Centres

(a) the details of Sports Authority of India (SAI) centres (STC, SAG and others) in the country at present, State-wise;

(b) the centres which have been closed or merged with others during each of the last five years along with the reasons for the same;

(c) the measures taken by the Government to review and improve the functioning of SAI centres;

(d) the measures being taken by the Government to revive the merged or closed centres; and

(e) whether the Government has managed to save any expenditure from closing/merging of the SAI centres and if so, the expected savings per year?

THE MINISTER OF YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
(SHRI ANURAG SINGH THAKUR)

(a) A total of 188 Sports Authority of India (SAI) Centres are operational in the country. The State-wise details are at Annexure-I.
(b) One SAI Training Centre (STC), Medak was closed in 2018-19 due to non-availability of proper play field. However, the athletes of this centre alongwith coaches were shifted to STC, Hyderabad.
(c) to (e) Reviewing the existing SAI centres is a continuous exercise and accordingly, necessary steps are taken, to ensure the continuous improvement. Recently, an exercise of restructuring National Centre of Excellences (NCOEs) has been undertaken and sanctioned strength and disciplines have been revisited.
Further modern Sports equipment as per required specifications for advanced training are provided to athletes. Also, Regular training under supervision of qualified coaches and support staff is conducted for training of athletes aimed at achieving competitive excellence.
One SAI Centres STC Medak was closed but athletes and coaches in this STC were shifted to STC Hyderabad. As such no substantial savings were made as operational expenditure on athlete remained same.
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