(a) whether it is a fact that the Government had sought suggestions from various quarters/public on the topic ''Making India a Sports Superpower'' during last few years;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the suggestions received and the status of implementation of those suggestions?
THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE)
FOR YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
(SHRI SARBANANDA SONOWAL)
(a) & (b): The Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports sought views/suggestions from citizens in December 2014 on MyGov website on ‘Making India a sports superpower’.
(c) Following major suggestions have been received:
? Encourage Corporates to invest in the sporting sector and create global-level facilities and infrastructure
? Increase the number of zonal and state level competitions to recognize talent from every part of the country
? Bring in world-class coaches and training equipment to improve the skills of interested athletes and lay down a strong foundation for the future generation
? Allow sports personalities and private entities to adopt/sponsor a district and use their funds and skills to identify talented individuals
? Establish Sports Universities across India that encourage people from all walks of life, including the tribals, to take part in sports activities
? Set up sports training centers abroad so that athletes can train in the optimal environment required for a particular sport
? Appeal to every Sports celebrity to adopt at least one tehsil for providing and monitoring the facilities for sports.
? Encourage regional sports like archery in Andamans and NE India; fencing, high jumping in Punjab, boat racing in Kerala. Every state has a unique sports community, recognize them
? Encourage schools to take up one or two games as their priority games. This will lead to concentration of resources and give better results
? Encourage Corporates to invest in the sporting sector and create global-level facilities and infrastructure
? Let corporates sponsor one sport using their Marketing/advertising budget.
? Open Sports Universities in five Zones - East, West, North, South and Central, headed by sports personnel and assisted by the armed forces or vice-versa
? Have sport schools abroad under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with world-class infrastructure, lodging and boarding, global coaching talent. Send selected sportsmen there to enable their bodies to adapt to the food and climate.
? Have a national physical education academy and a cadre of Physical Education Instructors. Establish a National Sports University with a Sports Academy in each state
? Issue a card giving 5% discount in utilities bill of electricity, water, house tax, parking, rail/air tickets etc. to distinguished sportsmen.
While schemes/programmes having features of the above suggestions are already being implemented by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports and State Governments, other suggestions have been taken note of.
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