Question : PERFORMANCE IN INTERNATIONAL EVENTS

(a) whether the Government has conducted an in-depth study to know the reasons for the poor performance of our contingent at different international events in the last decade;

(b) if so, the details thereof; and

(c) if not, the reasons therefor?

THE MINISTER OF PANCHYATI RAJ, YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS AND DEVELOPMENT OF NORTH EASTERN REGION (SHRI MANI SHANKAR AIYAR)

(a) to (c)The performance of Indian sportspersons in international events is being regularly reviewed in the process of the preparation of Long Term Development Plans

(LTDPs) of various National Sports Federations. India`s performance in major international events during the last decade in terms of medals won is indicated at the Annex.It would be observed that there has been some improvement in performance in recent years. However, there is still considerable scope for further improvement. Various aspects of this have been recently reviewed and examined in detail as part of the deliberations of the Working Group set up by the Planning Commission in context of preparations for the Eleventh Plan.

Multi-pronged efforts are being made to improve the performance level of Indian sportspersons. While the National Sports Federations (NSFs) are primarily responsible for the development of various sports disciplines and excellence therein, their efforts are being significantly supplemented by the Central Government through the Scheme for Financial Assistance to National Sports Federations for organizing national and international tournaments in India, participation of Indian teams in tournaments and events abroad, provision of coaching through Indian and foreign coaches, backed-up with requisite technical support, procurement of equipments etc., within Long Term Development Plans (LTDPs) for each discipline.Detailed discussions are also now being held with individual Federations with a view to further streamlining the process of preparation and implementation of these plans and making them more result oriented, and suitable modifications in the various norms under the scheme are also proposed. In addition, action is being taken under the various schemes of the Sports Authority of India (SAI) to establish state-of-the-art training infrastructure and facilities in different parts of the country and spotting and nurturing sports talent in their Centres spread across the country, including in areas with special potential for different identified sports disciplines. As a result of efforts of SAI, the number of trainees in their Centres has increased from less than 10,000 at the beginning of the Xth Plan to around 14,000 (anticipated) by the end of the current year, and a target of increasing this to 50,000 during XIth Plan has been kept. The Ministry is also providing support to talented and elite sportspersons for further improving in their performance through its Schemes of Talent Search and Training and the National Sports Development Fund, which are proposed to be expanded. In this context, ways to increase the participation of the private /corporate sector in the promotion of sports excellence are also being explored.With a view to broad-basing sports and creating avenues to provide access for the vast sections of the youth, particularly in the rural areas, to organized sports and games facilities, both as an essential ingredient of youth development and with a view to significantly expanding the catchment for spotting talent, the Ministry is also considering the launching of a Scheme titled `Panchayat Yuva Khel Abhiyan` (PYKA) during XI Plan. Consultations with various stakeholders and Ministries etc., are underway for finalizing the Scheme. It is expected that, this would also result in the generation of greater sports consciousness and culture at different levels in the country.