(a) whether the standard of sports is not upto the mark in some of the States including Uttar Pradesh;
(b) if so, the reasons therefor alongwith the reaction of the Government in this regard; and
(c) the efforts made by the Government at the Central level to improve the standard of sports in the States?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS (SHRI PON. RADHAKIRISHNAN)
(a) & (b): The participation of sportspersons in competitive sports may differ from State to State. Certain sports disciplines are more popular in some States than the others, as a result of which there is more participation and competition leading to an overall higher standard in the particular disciplines. For instance, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Delhi have high standard in Wrestling; Manipur and Andhra Pradesh in Women`s Weight Lifting; Kerala, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh in Athletics. As regards Uttar Pradesh, it has high standard in the disciplines of Hockey, Athletics and Wrestling.
(c): Government of India implements the following schemes to improve the standard of sports:
i) Promotion of Sports and Games in Schools;
ii) Rural Sports Programme;
iii) Sports Scholarship scheme;
iv) Sports Festival for Women;
v) Grants for Creation of Sports Infrastructure;
vi) Grants for Promotion of Sports in Colleges and Universities;
vii) Grant for Installation of Synthetic Playing Surfaces;
viii) National Welfare Fund for Sports Persons;
ix) Sports Fund for Pension to Meritorious Sports Persons;
x) Special Awards to Winners in International Sports Events and their Coaches;
xi) Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award;
xii) Arjuna Award;
xiii) Dronacharya Award;
xiv) Maulana Abul Klalam Azad Trophy.
Apart from these, Sports Authority of India (SAI) also runs the following schemes:
i) National Sports Talent Contest;
ii) Army Boys Sports Company;
iii) Special Area Games;
iv) SAI Training Centers;
v) Centers of Excellence.
vi) National Coaching Scheme.