Question : Revival of Ancient Rural Games

(a) whether the Government proposes to revive and promote ancient/traditional rural games/sports and also introduce them in the school curriculum in the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof indicating the games/sports identified for the purpose;
(c) whether the Government proposes to provide land to the State Governments for promotion of sports and if so, the details thereof, State-wise;
(d) the steps taken/being taken by the Government for promotion of sports at rural level in the country; and
(e) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to encourage participation of children in sports in the country?

THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE)
FOR YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS
(SHRI VIJAY GOEL)
(a) to (e) Sports is a State subject and, therefore, it is primarily the responsibility of the State Government to promote and develop Sports in the country. The Central Government complements/supplements the efforts of the State Governments.
However, a Scheme called “Khelo India – National Programme for Development of Sports” is being implemented by this Ministry as a Central Sector Scheme from the current financial year 2016-17. The Scheme provides for holding of annual sports competitions in two age groups of (i) under 14 and (ii) under 17 all over India to encourage mass participation of both boys and girls in Sports in both urban and rural areas, sports talent identification and creation of sports infrastructure, namely, Synthetic Athletic Track, Synthetic Hockey Field, Synthetic Turf Football Ground, Multipurpose hall, Swimming pool and construction of stadia complex. Under this Scheme, the States have been given the liberty to decide including regional/ indigenous/ local popular games as part of competition. No games/sports have been identified by this Ministry for this purpose, nor is there any proposal by this Ministry to introduce them in the school curriculum in the country.
There is no proposal in this Ministry to provide land to the State Governments for promotion of sports.
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