(a) whether the Government has identified the reasons for the declining standard of sports in the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof along with the steps taken/being taken by the Government to improve the situation;
(c) whether the National Sports Federation is solely responsible for the declining standard of sports;
(d) if so, the reaction of the Government thereto; and
(e) the corrective steps taken by the Government in this regard?
THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE)
FOR YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS (SHRI JITENDRA SINGH)
(a) & (b): It is not true that standards of sports are declining in the country. There has been
perceptible improvement in the country’s performance in international sports events as is evident
from the medals won by Indian sportspersons/teams in Beijing Olympics-2008, Asian Games 2010,
Commonwealth Games-2010, London Olympics- 2012 etc. In order to further improve the standard of
sports in the country, the Government has been taking initiatives and implementing schemes for
strengthening sports facilities and providing better training and coaching, etc.
(c) to (e): The Government works in co-ordination with the National Sports Federations (NSFs) for
promotion of various sports disciplines. Under the Scheme of Assistance to NSFs, financial grants
are provided to NSFs for coaching/training of athletes, their participation in international
tournaments and organization of National Championships etc.
The Government has issued the National Sports Development code, 2011 to ensure good governance
in NSFs. Among others, age and tenure limitations for office- bearers of NSFs have been provided under
the code.