Question : Sports in Himalayan Region

(a) whether the Government has any action-plan to organise annual sports meet in Himalayan region to promote unique sports traditions of Himalayan States and neighbouring countries and if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether the Government has identified sports traditions of these States in order to organise sports meet and if so, the details thereof;
(c) the funds spent so far, if any, by the Government to identify unique Himalayan sports traditions; and
(d) the details of sports infrastructure available in Himalayan region as of now?

THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE)
FOR YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS
(SHRI VIJAY GOEL)
(a) Yes Madam. While presenting the Union Budget for the year 2014-15, the Finance Minister announced that an annual sports event will be started to promote the unique sports traditions of the Himalayan Region and countries such as Nepal and Bhutan will also be invited to participate in addition to the Indian States such as Jammu & Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim and North Eastern States. To implement this
announcement, a scheme, namely, Himalayan Region Sports Festival (HRSF) has been framed after obtaining necessary inputs from all Indian Himalayan States, Bhutan and Nepal. First HRSF was allotted to Government of Assam, which was scheduled to be held in February, 2016, but could not be organized owing to 12th South Asia Games being held during February, 2016 at Guwahati. Fresh dates for holding the event are being finalized in consultation with Government of Assam. When the dates are finalized, formal invitation will be sent to the neighbouring countries such as Bhutan and Nepal.
(b) Since only a few sports disciplines are common to all States and the Countries in the Himalayan region being invited to participate in the event, competition will he held among the participating teams in common disciplines, viz., Archery, Judo, Athletics, Taekwondo, Boxing, Wrestling, Football and Fencing. However, demonstration / exhibition of games in the Himalayan States / Country will he held to highlight the sporting traditions of the region. Details of indigenous Games and martial arts identified in Himalayan States are attached as Annexure-I.
(c) Rs. 1.27 crore was released to Government of Assam in the year 2014-15 for taking up preparatory activities.
(d) Sports is a State subject and, therefore, it is primarily the responsibility of the State Government to create adequate sports infrastructure including playgrounds starting from village level. The Central Government complements/supplements the efforts of the State Governments. Hence, Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports does not maintain any record regarding the details of sports infrastructure available in the country, including the Himalayan region.
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