Question : FOOTBALL PREMIER LEAGUE

(a) whether football premier league is proposed to be introduced in the country with a view to popularizing football game in the country;

(b) if so, the details thereof; and

(c) the steps taken by the Government to popularise the game?

MINISTER OF THE STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS (SHRI AJAY MAKEN)

(a) No, Madam.

(b) Does not arise

(c) The primary responsibility for the development of various sports disciplines vests in the National Sports Federation (NSF) concerned, which in case of football is the All India Football Federation (AIFF). The Government supplements their efforts through financial assistance for holding national/international sports events in India, participation of sportspersons/teams in international sports events abroad, training/coaching of national level sportspersons/teams through Indian and foreign coaches, procurement of equipment and consumables etc. as per agreed Long Term Development Plans (LTDPs). At state level, it is the responsibility of state level federations and the concerned state government to develop various sports disciplines. Apart from this, the Sports Authority of India (SAI) is running the following promotional schemes in which football is one of the disciplines and training by experienced coaches with scientific back up is provided to the players to achieve excellence at national/international level:

(a) National Sports Talent Scheme (NSTC)

(b) Army Boys Sports Company (ABSC)

(c) SAI Training Centre (STC)

(d) Special Area Games (SAG)

(e) Centre of Excellence (COE)

Besides, SAI has entered into an Agreement with All India Football Federation in October 2011 for the use of Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi, which interalia includes that SAI will enable use of stadium by AIFF including the main pitch for a maximum period of 40 days per year and allot the stadium to AIFF for holding of South Asian Football Federation Tournament, International matches, I-League matches, Nehru Cup Football Tournament in 2012, International Friendly Matches, other Asian Football Confederation/Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) Matches as well as hold domestic tournaments.