THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS (SHRI VIJAY GOEL)
(a) & (b): Yes, Sir, However it is not a fact that the achievements of Indian sports in every field outside cricket have been below expectations. Rather, there has been a resurgence in Indian sports in the recent past. During Commonwealth Games-2002, Indian sports persons have created history by winning 69 (30 Gold+22 Silver+17 Bronze) medals. The performance at the Busan Asian Games -2002 was also good where Indian sports persons won 36 (11 Gold+12silver+13 Bronze) medals. In certain disciplines such as Billiards, Chess, Tennis (Doubles), shooting(Rifle), Archery, Hockey, Volleyball and Weightlifting (women) Indian sportspersons have given world class performance. Two shooters Ms. Anjali Vedpathak and Abhinav Bindra have qualified for the Olympics-2004. Indian Youth Boys Volleyball team became the Asian champions at Vizag in April, 2003. India got the second position in the World (U-19) Sub-junior Volleyball Championship held recently in Thailand in July, 2003.
Indian Archery Teams (both men & women) have recently qualified for Olympics-2004. The Men`s team got 4th place and Women`s team got 6th place in the recently concluded World Archery Championship at New York. 2 Men & 1 Woman archer have also qualified for individual events in Olympics-2004. In Hockey also, Indian team has recently won 4-nation tournament held in Australia and Germany. Indian Football has also shown improvement in 1998 Busan Asian Games. Recently, East Bengal Club has won the ASEAN Championship. In Athletics medal tally of Busan Asian Games, India got 2nd place after China, winning 7 Gold, 6 Silver and 4 Bronze medals . Two Indian athletes created new Asian records during these Games.
(c) &(d): It is a fact that in most cases the National Sports Federations (NSFs) are headed by non-sportspersons. But since, NSFs are registered societies under Societies Registration Act, 1860 and elections of office bearers of NSFs are regulated by their own constitutions, the Govt. has no say in the election process of NSFs. However, as per provisions relating to selection procedure contained in the `Guidelines for Assistance to NSFs`, each NSF is required to constitute a Selection Committee comprising of the President of the NSF, National Coach and eminent ex-sportspersons. The selection Committees are associated with the selection of probables for intensive coaching and final teams for major competitions, internationally qualified officials and sports scientists/medical persons etc. Apart from this, the Government has also appointed Government observers, who are mostly eminent ex-sportspersons/ Arjuna Awardees and are required to observe the selection procedure and submit a report to the Government.
