(a) whether the Government has received any new action plan for sports from NITI Aayog;
(b) if so, the details thereof along with the reaction of the Government thereto; and
(c) the steps being taken by the Government to encourage and promote sports in the country?
THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE)
FOR YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
(SHRI VIJAY GOEL)
(a) to (c): The NITI Aayog has recommended an action plan for the short-term and for medium to long-term for revitalizing sports in India. The short-term measures include identification of priority sports, engagement of world class coaches, strengthening of recovery and rehabilitation facilities, strengthening of sports governance and promoting professional leagues. The medium to long-term measures include making sport a compulsory subject in school, introducing long-term athlete development programme, etc.
The Government is already working on these lines. Some of the major initiatives are as follows:
- Selection of priority sports for Olympics, Asian Games and Commonwealth Games completed.
- Selection of athletes for support under Target Olympic Podium Scheme underway
- Engaging world class coaches for priority disciplines completed
- Introducing a Talent Hunt Portal
- Establishment of National Sports Academies in selected disciplines [10 already established, besides 5 regional academies (4 in Football; 1 in Badminton)].
- Introduction of National School Games and National University Games
- Government has also set up an Olympic Task Force for making further recommendations to make India a leading sporting nation.
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