(a) whether due to partiality upcoming players are not considered during the selection of players;
(b) if so, the steps proposed to be taken by the Sports Authority for ensuring impartiality in selection; and
(c) The steps being taken by the Government for encouragement of sports women and to prevent doping in games?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS (SHRI PON. RADHAKIRISHNAN)
(a) & (b): No, Sir. Selection of sportspersons/ teams is made by duly constituted selection committees of the concerned National Sports Federations. The Proceedings of the meetings of the Selection Committees are observed by Government Observers appointed for various sports Disciplines.
(c) For encourage meant of sports amongst women, Government is implementing the following schemes:
(1) National Sports Festival for Women: Under the scheme , sports competitions are organized by the Sports Authority of India (SAI) exclusively for women sportspersons from various States/UTs.
(2) Sports Scholarship Scheme: Under the scheme, sportspersons studying in school/colleges/Universities are sanctioned scholarship for achieving excellence in sports at State, National and University/Colleges levels. In this scheme, there is also provision for special scholarship for senior women champions, women doing Diploma in Sports-Coaching at SAI Centre and women doing M. Phil/Ph. D. in Physical Education.
(3) Scheme Relating to Awards: Under this scheme, sportspersons both men and women winning medals in international sports events are given cash awards.
Besides the above, the following schemes are also meant for the welfare of the sports persons (Men & Women):
(i) National Welfare Fund For Sportspersons
(ii) Sports Fund For Meritorious Sports Persons
(iii) Assisting Promising sportspersons and supporting sports personnel .
To prevent doping following steps are being taken by the Govt.
(i) Efforts to get accreditation of the SAI Dope Control Laboratory at an advance stage.
(ii) During the coaching camps, strict instructions have been given to the coaches, attached with the campers, to prevent use of the banned drugs.
(iii) Lectures are being conducted by the Sports medicine doctors at NSNIS, Patiala and other regional centres, where camps are being held, to educate the players against use of any banned drugs.
(iv) Players have been provided with documents, brochures regarding banned substances.
(v) The list of banned drugs and placards for education of players are put up in the rooms of the campers.
(vi) Rooms and belongings of the players are also searched and checked at regular periodicity to see that no banned drugs are used.
(vii) Random dope tests during coaching camps are being done.
(viii) In-competition tests in National Games have been started with the National Games held in Punjab in 2002.
(ix) Athletes are being tested for dope before their participation in major International tournaments.