(a) whether the sports scenario in the country is dismal;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government propose to encourage talented sportspersons by providing professional coaching, technical expertise, handsome incentives etc. to enhance their performance at the international level; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
THE MINISTER OF YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS (SHRI VIKRAM VERMA)
(a) to (d): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) to (d) OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.480 REGARDING ENCOURAGEMENT TO SPORTSPERSONS ASKED BY SHRI A.KRISHNASWAMY AND SHRI SHIVAJI MANE
(a) & (b): No, Sir. Performance of Indian Sportspersons in the recently concluded Commonwealth Games and Asian Games has been commendable. In the Commonwealth Games the Indian contingent secured 4th position in the overall medal tally by winning 69 medals. Similarly in the Asian Games Indian contingent won 36 medals.
(c) & (d): Yes, Sir. Government has already introduced various schemes for encouraging talented sports persons. Brief details of steps taken by the Government in this regard are as follows: -
1. Under the scheme of Talent Search and Training, promising sportspersons are granted financial assistance for training abroad under expert coaches. Besides, under the scheme, assistance is also given to promising sports persons for equipment, scientific support, training and participation in tournaments abroad and in the country.
2. Foreign coaches are also being engaged on short term / long-term basis for identified sports disciplines in which India has good chance of doing well at the international level. These foreign coaches are deployed in India and attached to National Coaching Camps for providing intensive training to Indian sports persons.
3. Sports equipment of international standard are being imported and provided to players in the National Coaching Camps for training them with latest equipment.
4. Proper scientific back up is provided to the National Campers with the help of latest scientific equipment under expert sports scientists.
5. Balanced diet as recommended by National Institute of Nutrition is provided to National Campers, under the guidance of expert Nutritionist.
6. Sports Authority of India has also introduced the following sports promotion schemes for supporting and nurturing of sports talent in sub-junior, junior and senior age groups in the country. The talented / promising sports persons are selected through out the country and adopted by SAI for providing training under the expert coaches for excellence at national/international level.
i) National Sports Talent Contest Scheme (NSTC) ii) Army Boys Sports Company (ABSC) iii) Special Area Games (SAG) iv) SAI Training Centre (STC) v) Centre of Excellence (COX)