Question : Regional Martial Arts

(a) whether the Government has any plans to preserve and promote regional martial arts and if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether the Government will institute a centre for Kalarippayattu studies in Kerala and if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government has allocated any funds for Kalarippayattu, the martial art of Kerala under Khelo India project for the year 2020-21 and if so, the details thereof; (d) the details of ongoing projects to promote martial arts; and
(e) whether the Government proposes to include Kalarippayattu in the National Level Games competitions and if so, the details thereof?

THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS [SHRI KIREN RIJIJU]

(a) to (e) Indigenous sports including Kalaripayattu are being supported by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports. This Ministry has recognised Indian Kalaripayattu Federation as the Regional Sports Federation for the traditional sport of Kalarippayatu. Sports Authority of India (SAI) is also implementing Indigenous Games & Martial Arts (IGMA) Scheme under its National Sports Talent
Contest (NSTC) Scheme across the country, under which, the institutions/ schools engaged in the promotion of IGMA are adopted by SAI.

Under the ‘Promotion of Rural & Indigenous / Tribal Games’ component of the Khelo India Scheme, regional martial arts including Kalaripayattu are being supported by providing financial assistance for infrastructure development and coaches. For setting up of two Kalari-Centres at Thiruvananthapuram and Aramula an amount of Rs.80.00 lakh has been sanctioned. Also, an amount of Rs.60.00 lakhs towards appointment of coaches in each of the two centres with annual grant for 3 years (including FY 2020-21) at the rate of Rs.5.00 lakh per annum per coach has been sanctioned.

In addition, scholarships of Rs.10,000/- per month to each of the 73 medal winners of the national level events conducted by the Indian Kalaripayattu Federation has already been sanctioned.

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