(a) The percentage of youth population in rural India in each of the regions;
(b) The existing mechanism to spot and nurture sports talent in primary and higher secondary schools located in rural and semi-urban areas;
(
(c) Whether the Government proposes to formulate coordinated policy initiatives for popularization of various sports disciplines among rural youth; and
(d) If so, the details thereof?
THE MINISTER OF PANCHAYATI RAJ, YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS AND DEVELOPMENT OF NORTH EASTERN REGION (SHRI MANI SHANKAR AIYAR)
(a) Details regarding percentage of rural youth population, State-wise, as in 2001 is at Annex.
(b) The existing mechanisms to spot and nurture sports talent in primary and secondary
school located in rural and semi-urban areas are:
(i) Under the scheme for `Promotion of Sports and Games in Schools` which aims at improving
the standards of sports in schools, and encourage participation in Inter School competitions;
(ii) Rural Sports Programme for broadbasing games and sports and tapping the hidden talent in
rural areas. The scheme has two sub-components viz. organization of rural sports tournaments
and organization of sports festival in North Eastern Region;
(iii) Through the Sports Authority of India (SAI) schemes like National Sports Talent Contest
(NSTC) where schools are adopted both for residential training and on the basis of training
of day Boarders.
(c)&(d): In view of the shortage of sports infrastructure, particularly in rural areas, the
Ministry is considering the launching of a scheme `Panchayat Yuva Khel Abhiyan` with
the objective of providing access to large sections of Youth Children to organize Games
and Sports, both as an activity integral to the development of Youth and to widen the
catchment for scouting and nurturing talent and improving performance in competitive
sports at national and international level. Discussions regarding the scheme are underway
with the State Governments and other stakeholders concerned.