Question : Regional Training Centres

(a) the names of places in the country where regional training centres of Sports Authority of India are located, State-wise along with functions thereof;

(b) whether the Government has any proposal to setup more such centres in the country in the coming years;

(c) if so, the details thereof along with the locations identified for the same, State-wise particularly for the State of Tamil Nadu and Punjab and the time by which the new centres are likely to be set up; and

(d) the steps taken by the Government to improve facilities for athletes across the country?

THE MINISTER FOR YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
(SHRI ANURAG SINGH THAKUR)

(a) SAI is implementing the following major Sports Promotional Schemes across the country through its Regional Centres to identify talented sports persons and nurture them to excel at national and international competitions:-

• Khelo India National Programme for Development of Sports
• Scheme of Assistance to National Sports Federations (NSFs)
• National Centres of Excellence (NCOE)
• SAI Training Centre (STC)
• Extension Centre of STC/SAG
• National Sports Talent Contest (NSTC)
(its Sub-Schemes - Regular Schools, Indigenous Games and Martial Arts (IGMA) & Akharas)

Accordingly, SAI has established 23 NCOEs and 67 STCs. A total of 189 SAI Centres including NCOEs, STCs, Extension Centres, etc., are functional for implementation of above sports promotional schemes. SAI also conducts academic programmes through its academic institutions. The names and State-wise locations of regional centres of Sports Authority of India (SAI), with important Sports disciplines catered to and States/UTs covered by each, and educational institutions, with core activities of each, are given in Annexure.

(b) & (c) SAI centres are set up after taking into account the need for such centres in a particular geographical region. At present, there is no proposal under consideration in this Ministry to set up any new Regional Centre of SAI in the country.

(d) Sports is a State Subject and development of Sports, including improvement of sports facilities for athletes across the country, is the primary responsibility of the State Government and National Sports Federations (NSFs). However, the Government of India supplements and complements the efforts of State Governments and NSFs though various Sports Promotional Schemes.

To this end, the Ministry is implementing the Khelo India National Programme for Development of Sports, which aims at strengthening the entire sports ecosystem through its various verticals for playfield development; community coaching development; promotion of community sports; establishment of a strong sports competition structure at both school and university level as also for rural / indigenous sports, sports for persons with disability and women sports, filling up of critical gaps in sports infrastructure, talent identification and development; support to sports academies; implementation of a national physical fitness drive for school children; and sports for peace and development. The Scheme, which is implemented pan-India, provides for grant of financial assistance to eligible entities for implementing the stated objectives through creation of sports infrastructure and providing other facilities to athletes.

Further, the SAI Centres, which are spread across the country, are equipped with sports infrastructure and facilities which can be availed of by NSFs as well individual athletes/coaches in the respective regions.
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