(a) whether the Government has recently reviewed the functioning of sports science centres in the country;
(b) if so, the outcome thereof;
(c) the deficiencies identified in their functioning;
(d) the corrective measures taken/proposed to be taken by the Government for revitalising
the functioning of these centres; and
(e) the number of sportspersons of international repute produced by each of these centres
during each of the last three years?
THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS (SHRI AJAY MAKEN)
(a) to (e): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT REFFERED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.71 FOR
14.08.2012 REGARDING SPORTS SCIENCE CENTRES ASKED BY SHRIMATI JYOTI DHURVE AND SHRI KACHHADIA NARANBHAI, MPs.
(a) Yes, Madam.
(b) to (e): Sports Authority of India (SAI) has set up four Sports Science Centres in the country
for the purpose of training of sportspersons, details of which are as under:-
i) SAI Netaji Subhas Eastern Centre at Kolkata, West Bengal.
ii) SAI Netaji Subhas Southern Centre at Bangalore, Karnatka.
iii) SAI Netaji Subhas National Institute of Sports, Patiala, Punjab.
iv) Lakshmibai National College of Physical Education at Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.
These SAI centres have sports science facilities in Sports Medicine, Sports Psychology, Anthropometry,
Bio/Mechanics, Exercise physiology and training methods which are managed by highly qualified and
experienced teams of Sports Scientists. Besides, fitness equipment and recovery methods facilities are
also available at these centres. The scientific support to National Campers is an essential part of the
system of preparation for international competitions. The facilities available at these centres are
being provided to SAI trainees and National Campers.
In order to focus on the high quality of research study and targets of sports science and medicine
for producing sports champions who could spearhead the Indian challenge on the world sporting arena,
it was felt necessary to create a national hub which could contribute to the growing corpus of research,
as seen in other developed and prominent countries like Australia & China. Accordingly, it has been
proposed to set up a National Institute of Sports Sciences and Medicine (NISSM) at New Delhi.The
proposed NISSM would be leading institute in the country to support high performance of sportspersons
and integrate sciences and medicine into the training of elite sportspersons in the country as well
as into the teaching curriculum of sport coaching in the country. The key functioning of the proposed
institute would be:-
(i) Performance enhancement research and teaching to promote sports excellence.
(ii) Dissemination of information on Sports Science and Sports Medicine.
(iii) Prevention, treatment and rehabilitation of sports injuries.
(iv) Testing and certification of food supplements and nutraceuticals.
(v) Accreditation services and training of specialised personnel.
There is acute shortage of qualified persons as sports physiotherapist, conditioning experts, sports
nutritionist, sports psychologist, sports analysts who are an integral part of the coaching team of
elite sports persons. The proposed NISSM would cater to all the deficiencies which have been identified
for up-gradation of existing sports science and sports medicines in the country.
Further a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has been signed between India and China on cooperation in
the filed of sports between countries. Exchanges have taken place between sports administrations and
sports scientists of SAI Centre and Lakshmibai National University of Physical Education (LNUPE),
Gwalior with officers of Beijing Sports University and China Institute of Sports Science for academic
collaboration and sharing experience with regard to Tai-Chi and Yoga. Training modules have also
been discussed with China Institute of Sports Sciences, Beijing in the filed of sports psychology,
training methods, nutritional supplements for sportspersons, bio-chemistry, bio-mechanics,
neurophysiology assessment of sportspersons, sports cardiopulmonary adjustments for performance
enhancement, sports injuries management and rehabilitation.
The national athletes preparing for London Olympics, 2012 were provided necessary scientific back
up by the sports scientist of SAI at Netaji Subhash National Institute of Sports (NSNIS) Patiala,
Netaji Subhash Sothern Centre, Bangalore and Netaji Subhash Eastern Centre, Kolkata.