Question : SPORTS SCIENCE CENTRES

(a) the details of Sports Science Centres functioning in the country at present;

(b) whether the Government has recently reviewed the functioning of such Centres in the country;

(c) if so, the outcome thereof including the deficiencies indentified in their functioning;

(d) the corrective measures taken/proposed to be taken by the Government for revitalising the functioning of these Centres; and

(e) the number of sportspersons of international repute produced by each of these centres during each of the last three years ?

THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR SKILL DEVELOPMENT, ENTREPRENEURSHIP, YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS (SHRI SARBANANDA SONOWAL)

(a) All Regional Centres of the Sports Authority of India (SAI) have Sports Science Centres with nomenclature as mentioned below :

# Faculty of Sports Sciences, Netaji Subhas National Institute of Sports, Patiala

# Sports Science Faculty, SAI Netaji Subhas Southern Centre, Bangalore

# Sports Science Unit, SAI Netaji Subhas Eastern Centre, Kolkata

# Sports Science Unit SAI Netaji Subhas Western Centre, Gandhinagar

# High Performance Lab SAI Head Office, New Delhi

All the above Sports Science Centres of SAI have 4 to 7 different Sports Science Specialities. Technically qualified sports scientists are working in these Sports Science Specialities. These Sports Scientists are responsible for teaching the students of various sports programmes, providing relevant scientific support & back-up to the elite National and other specified categories of sportspersons and are conducting various research activities.

(b) An Expert Group on Sports Sciences constituted by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports for strengthening various aspects of sports sciences including Sports Nutrition conducted the review in 2010- 2011. The British Council in Delhi commissioned a consultancy project on behalf of the Government of India’s Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports (MYAS) and Sports Authority of India (SAI) to examine proposals for large scale investment in sports medicine and sports science infrastructure. Three senior members of staff at Leeds Metropolitan University and an Emeritus Professor from Loughborough University made up an experienced team to evaluate the proposal. This required an examination of documentation, meetings with senior managers and visits to a number of sites in the country.

The plan attempted to provide improved infrastructure for sports science and sports medicine by proposing investment in the 80 local centres, 9 regional centres and 4 national centres of excellence in existence.

(c ) The report on deficiencies indentified in the functioning is provided at Annexure.

(d) Following measures were taken by the SAI to strengthen sports sciences all over India:

1. 19 posts of Junior Scientific Officer in various disciplines of sports sciences was processed for recruitment and after following Government of India procedures of selection (Written test and Interview), final appointment letters were issued to 15 candidates.

2. Physiotherapists and Doctors have been attached to top priority National Camps for International Competitions.

3. 6 Mental Trainers have been recruited on contract basis and attached to various National teams in various Regional Centres of SAI

4. National Institute of Sports Science and Research has been proposed for bringing out research activities in sports sciences and Nutrition.

5. Sports Science and Medical equipments for installation at SAI Regional Centres at Bangalore, NIS Patiala and Delhi has been sanctioned with total budget amounting to Rs 5 crores. The details have been worked out and List of Items for Delhi Centre has been finalised for procurement.

6. Physical educational Institutions and various Universities under University Grant Commission (UGC) have been approached for encouraging academic program in sports sciences at under graduate and post-graduate level.

7. Nutrition Supplements and Diet for National campers have been reviewed to provide the best nutritional diet to our campers for which the money has been enhanced.

(e) Approximately, 1000 sportspersons per year comprising of National Campers and trainees under various SAI Schemes are provided scientific back up at NIS, Patiala.

National campers from Boxing, Archery, Gymnastics, Cycling, Shooting, Swimming and Hockey are training on regular basis at Delhi Stadia. Approximately 200 campers have benefitted from the scientific backup at the Delhi centre and results of Glasgow Commonwealth Games are there for everyone to see.

Athletes training at other SAI Centres are also provided Sports Science backup.