Question : Encouragement to Talented Players

(a) whether special drive is being run by the Government to encourage the talented players;

(b) if so, the number of players encouraged during the last three years and the current year along with the manner in which they have been encouraged;

(c) the process involved in the selection of talented players in the States and national level sports competition;

(d) whether any negligence committed by the sports boards in the selection process has come to the notice of the Government; and

(e) if so, the corrective steps taken by the Government in this regard?

THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE)
FOR YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS
{ SHRI KIREN RIJIJU }

(a) and (b) The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports through Sports Authority of India (SAI) is implementing the following sports promotional schemes across the country to identify talented sports persons and nurture them to excel at national and international competitions:-

• National Centres of Excellence (NCOE)
• SAI Training Centre (STC)
• Extension Centre of STC
• National Sports Talent Contest (NSTC)

Presently, 9225 talented athletes (5681 boys and 3544 girls) are being trained in 27 sports disciplines on residential and non-residential basis.

This Ministry is also implementing several other schemes for preparations of athletes for Olympics, Paralympic Games, Asian Games and Commonwealth Games as mentioned below:-

Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS): It is a flagship athlete-centric programme wherein assistance is provided to India’s top athletes in their preparations for the Olympics and Paralympics.

Scheme of Assistance to NSFs: Government provides assistance to elite sportspersons preparing for major international events such as Olympic Games, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games etc. by providing funding support through its scheme of Scheme of Assistance to National Sports Federations (NSFs), also known as Annual Calendar for Training and Competition (ACTC). As part of this scheme, NSFs are provided funding for organizing training camps which includes training, accommodation and dietary costs as well.

Khelo India Scheme: The Khelo India Scheme continues to support young athletes towards broad basing support for Indian sports. The mission is to encourage sports all over the country thus allowing the population to harness the power of sports through its cross-cutting influence, namely, holistic development of children & youth, community development, social integration, gender equality, healthy lifestyle, national pride and economic opportunities related to sports development. Athletes are selected from all over India covering tribal, rural and backward areas of the country. 2969 athletes in 24 sports disciplines (including Para sports) have been notified after being finally selected from various national championships, open selection trials, and assessment camps from Khelo India Games.

(c) The process of selection of talented players in the States /National level sports competitions as per approved selection criteria of the SAI sports promotional schemes and Khelo India Scheme is at Annexure.

(d) No, Sir.

(e) Does not arise.

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