THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE)
FOR YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
(SHRI SARBANANDA SONOWAL)
(a) to (c): It is not true that sports is not being given top priority in the country in comparison to other countries. It is also not true that performance of Indian Sportspersons in international sports competitions has been unsatisfactory. There has been perceptible improvement in the performance of Indian sportspersons in international sports events including mega sports events such as Olympic Games, Asian Games and Commonwealth Games, as is evident from the table below indicating the number of medals won by Indian sportspersons and teams:
<pre>
S. N. Name of Event Medals won Total
Gold Silver Bronze
1 London Olympics, 2012 0 2 4 6
2 London Paralympics, 2012 0 1 0 1
3 Commonwealth Games, 2014 15 30 19 64
4 Asian Games, 2014 11 10 36 57
5 Para Asian Games, 2014 3 14 16 33</pre)
At present, the National Sports Policy, 2001 is in existence, which has two main objectives viz, promotion of excellence in sports and broad-basing of sports. The schemes of the Department of Sports and Sports Authority of India are aimed at achievement of these twin objectives. State Governments are actively associated in the implementation of the Schemes pertaining to them. Sports disciplines of the National Sports Federations, recognized by the Ministry under the Scheme of Assistance to NSFs, are given financial assistance towards conduct of national championships, organizing coaching camps, participation in international tournaments abroad and conduct of international tournaments in India.
(d) Sports infrastructure of modern / international standards is available to a limited extent in the country. However, there is need for much more availability of such facilities. Sports infrastructure of international standards is being augmented / upgraded on a continuing basis. Inadequacies in terms of high performance centres, modern equipment, sports science and sports medicine facilities etc. are also addressed on a regular basis.
As ‘sports’ is a state subject, it is primarily the responsibility of the State Governments to create adequate sports infrastructure including state of the art sports facilities, playgrounds and recreation centres in the State.
The Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports supplement the efforts of State Governments under its centrally sponsored scheme, Rajiv Gandhi Khel Abhiyan (RGKA) and Urban Sports Infrastructure Scheme (USIS). RGKA, introduced in 2014-15 in place of erstwhile Panchayat Yuva Krida aur Khel Abhiyan (PYKKA), aims, inter alia, at construction of Integrated Sports Complexes in all block panchayat of the country in a phased manner. Under USIS, financial assistance is provided to State Governments, UTs, local civic bodies etc. for laying of synthetic track for athletics, astro-turf for hockey, football grounds and multi-purpose gymnasium halls.
Details of funds released under USIS during the last three years and current year are given in Annexure.
(e) Following Schemes are being implemented by Sports Authority of India for identification of talented sportspersons including from tribal areas and nurturing the identified talented sportspersons:
• National Sports Talent Contest (NSTC): The main objective of the scheme is to identify gifted and talented sportspersons among school children in the age group of 8-14 years.
• Army Boys Sports Companies (ABSC) is implemented in collaboration with the Army. Children in the age group of 8-16 years are imparted scientific training to achieve excellence at national and international levels. The scheme also provides job opportunities in the Indian Army.
• Special Area Games (SAG): This Scheme follows an area-specific approach to scout and nurture talent for modern competitive games and sports from tribal, rural, coastal and hilly areas of the country. The main objective of the scheme is to train talented and meritorious sportspersons in the age group of 12-18 years.
• SAI Training Centres (STC): Under this scheme, talented youth in the age group of 12-18 years are given the option to join the scheme on residential or non-residential basis.
• Centres of Excellence (COX): The main objective of this scheme is to identify and train outstanding sportspersons who are medal prospects for the country in international competitions.
(f) Schemes of the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports viz. Scheme of Assistance to NSFs, National Sports Development Fund, Scheme of Human Resource Development in Sports, and Schemes of the Sports Authority of India (SAI) viz. National Sports Talent Search (NSTS) Scheme, Army Boys Sports Company (ABSC) Scheme, SAI Training Centres (STC) Scheme, Special Area Games (SAG) Scheme, Centres of Excellence (COE) Scheme are being implemented with the objective of preparing Indian sportspersons and teams for improved performance in international sports events.
Preparation for improving the performance of the sportspersons and teams of the country in international sports events including the forthcoming Rio Olympics 2016 is an ongoing exercise. Coaching camps, customized training within the country and abroad with scientific back-up, competition exposures and engagement of foreign coaches are planned accordingly for improving the performance of Indian sportspersons and teams in international sports events including forthcoming international events.
Further, in order to support India’s best medal prospects for 2016 and 2020 Olympics and other major sporting events up to 2020 Olympics, the Ministry has started a “Target Olympic Podium Scheme” (TOP Scheme), promoted by the National Sports Development Fund.
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