THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
(SHRI SARBANANDA SONOWAL)
(a) & (b): Yes, Madam. Government has already been taking steps to promote and develop sports / games in tribal, rural, hilly and backward areas of the country. The various schemes implemented by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports (MYAS) and the Sports Authority of India (SAI) also cover trainees from the said areas of the country. However, the major schemes for this purpose are Rajiv Gandhi Khel Abhiyan in MYAS and Special Area Games (SAG) in SAI. The Central Government was implementing the Panchayat Yuva Krida aur Khel Abhiyan (PYKKA) Scheme for creation and development of basic sports infrastructure at village and block Panchayat level and for conduct of annual sports competitions in rural areas. The scheme which was in vogue from 2008- 09 to 2013-14 has now been revised and renamed as Rajiv Gandhi Khel Abhiyan (RGKA) scheme. RGKA envisages to construct a sports complex (comprising outdoor playfield and indoor sports hall) in each block of the country, including in the said areas, both for outdoor and indoor sports disciplines, on land measuring about six - seven acres at a cost of Rs. 80 lakh each (Total Rs. 1.60 crore). There is also a provision of Rs. 15 lakh for sports equipment to be provided by MYAS. The grants for Annual Sports competitions viz., Rural Sports Competitions, Women Sports Competitions and North- East Games has been enhanced under RGKA. Further, Games for LWE-affected region have been added in the said scheme. The SAG scheme of SAI aims at scouting and nurturing the natural talent for modern competitive sports and games from inaccessible tribal, rural and coastal areas of the country. Under this Scheme, the trainees are being imparted training in 25 disciplines in the age group of 12-18 years. There are 19 SAG Centers all over the country. The funds allocated and expenditure incurred on these schemes during the last three years and the current year is given in Annexures – I to IV. Setting up of new stadia / hostels / sports training schools, etc., inter-alia, depends on factors like availability of funds, requirement and support from the Government in the respective State / Union Territory.
(c) Such specific records are not maintained. However, the details of the number of youth who benefited from various SAI Schemes are provided at Annexure – V.
(d) Tribal men /women are excelling in various sports. Among other disciplines, Shooting, Kabaddi and Volleyball are also promoted through various schemes of the Ministry and SAI. Under the Scheme of Assistance to National Sports Federations (NSFs), National Rifle Shooting Association of India, Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India and Volleyball Federation of India are getting assistance for training and competition exposures of sportspersons and teams.
(e) Under PYKKA, assistance for construction of playfields was provided to villages and block panchayats. Many of these playfields have been constructed in Schools. Encouraging sports among youth in tribal, rural, hilly and backward areas of the country is an ongoing process. In the current year’s budget, following new schemes have been announced:
(I) Setting up of National Sports University in Manipur.
(II) National Sports Talent Search Scheme
(III) Renovation and creation of sports infrastructure facilities in Jammu & Kashmir.
(IV) Organization of sports competitions in Himalayan region.
(V) Setting up of Sports Academies.
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