(a) whether the Government has observed that many countries are aggressively pursuing football development plans in order to transform the game in a big way in their respective countries, if so, the reaction of the Government thereto along with the steps taken in this regard;
(b) whether the Government consider to make a policy for the development of football in the country, if so, the details thereof; and
(c) if not, the reasons therefor?
THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE)
FOR YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
(SHRI SARBANANDA SONOWAL)
(a) to (c): Madam, although the primary responsibility for the development and promotion of a sports discipline rests with the concerned recognized National Sports Federation (NSF), Government of India feels that development of football can be possible by popularising the sport through a variety of means. With this objective, Government of India furnished the Declaration and Guarantees to the All India Football Federation (AIFF) for their bid to host Under-17 FIFA World Cup in India in 2017. As a result, FIFA has awarded the event
to India. Further, Government has also conveyed its No objection to AIFF to host the BRICS Under-17 football tournament in India in 2016 on the side-lines of the summit of the heads of the BRICS nations.
Apart from this, Sports Authority of India is running the following promotional schemes in which football is one of the disciplines. Under these schemes, training by experienced coaches with scientific back-up is provided to players to achieve excellence at national/international level:
(a) National Sports Talent Scheme (NSTC)
(b) Army Boys Sports Company (ABSC)
(c) SAI Training Centre (STC)
(d) Special Area Games (SAG)
(e) Centre of Excellence (COE)
To popularise and develop the sport of football, All India Football Federation (AIFF), the recognized NSF for football is conducting a large number of events at several places for various age groups. The Government supplements the efforts of the NSF by providing financial assistance for holding national/international sports events in India, participation of sportspersons/teams in international sports events abroad, training/coaching of national level sportspersons/teams through Indian and foreign coaches, procurement of equipment and consumables etc. as per agreed Long Term Development Plans. Further, Subroto Mukherjee Sports Education Society (SMSES) holds national and international football tournaments at the school level. Financial assistance, at par with the NSFs, is given to SMSES for organizing National Championships at the School level.
******