Question : Promotion of Sports

(a) whether sports plays an important role in generating the spirit of healthy competition and bonding within the community and if so, the steps taken by the Government to promote sports;

(b) whether Indian population is one of the youngest in the world and the country has an immense potential for developing into a powerhouse of sports and if so, the steps taken by the Government in this regard;

(c) whether India is lagging far behind the other countries in achieving excellence in sports and if so, the reasons therefor along with the details of schemes/ programmes formulated by the Government to promote sports;

(d) the details of the total funds spent on sports by the Government per capita per day; and

(e) the details of measures taken to provide best training/coaching, state-of-the art equipments and better support services to the sportspersons?

THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS
{COL. RAJYAVARDHAN RATHORE (RETD.)}

(a) to (e) Sports plays an important role in generating the spirit of healthy competition and bonding within the community first. Indian population is one of the youngest in the world and the country has an immense potential for developing into a powerhouse of sports. The efforts of the Government are directed towards realizing that potential, which is evident from India’s improved performance in Commonwealth Games 2018, where India achieved 3rd position in medals tally as against 5th position in Commonwealth Games 2014.

‘Sports’ is a State subject and therefore primary responsibility for promotion and development of sports at the grassroot level by way of broad-basing of sports activities and creation of sports infrastructure and facilities is that of the State Governments and responsibility for promotion and development of specific sports disciplines is that of the concerned National Sports Federations (NSFs). The role of the Central Government is to supplement the efforts of the State Governments and NSFs and a number of proactive steps and measures have been taken by the Central Government to promote sports, ensuring best training/coaching, state-of-the art equipments and better support services to the sportspersons. Some of the major steps taken by Central Government are given at Annexure – I.

The total outlay of the Department of Sports for the financial year 2018-19 is Rs.1575.15 crore. Allocation of funds to the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports is not based on the population of the country. The centre plays only a supportive role in development of sports which is mainly the responsibility of State Governments and NSFs. State Governments also earmark funds from State Government budget for development of sports. In addition, many other Ministries also provide funds for the development of sports through their schemes directly / indirectly. Therefore, it is not possible to quantify per capita per day expenditure on development of sports in the country by the Government accurately. Accordingly, this Ministry does not maintain such records
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