Question : TRAINING FACILITIES FOR YOUTH IN SPORTS

(a) whether the Government/Sports Authority of India (SAI)/National Sports Federation (NSF) provides adequate opportunities for training of the youth in both urban and rural areas of the country to enable them to take up sports as a profession;

(b) if so, the details thereof, State/UT-wise and if not, the reasons therefor;

(c) whether the Government proposes to create more opportunities and provide assistance to the youth for training in sports during the 12th Five Year Plan; and

(d) if so, the details thereof, State/UT-wise including Uttar Pradesh?

THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR SKILL DEVELOPMENT, ENTREPRENEURSHIP, YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS (SHRI SARBANANDA SONOWAL)
(a) & (b): Madam, ‘Sports’ is a State subject. The primary responsibility for promotion and development of various sports disciplines including training of the youth rests with the concerned National Sports Federations ( NSFs) and the State Governments. However, the Government of India supplements the efforts of the NSFs by providing assistance for scientific training of sportspersons / teams through Indian and foreign coaches, procurement of equipments / consumables etc under its scheme of Assistance to National Sports Federations (NSFs). Under the Scheme of National Sports Development Fund (NSDF), financial assistance is provided to elite sportspersons for customized training abroad.

Under the following schemes of Sports Authority of India, identified sports talent is provided scientific training by experienced coaches, equipment support and other facilities to enable them to shine at the International Level:

(1) National Sports Talent Contest (NSTC)

(2) Army Boys Sports Company (ABCS)

(3) SAI Training Centre (STC),

(4) Special Area Games (SAG),

(5) Centre of Excellence (COE)

Under these schemes, State / UT- wise allocation is not made and youth from both the urban and rural areas are covered.

( c) & ( d): The Government has been constantly trying to provide more and more assistance to the youth for training in sports. In the general budget 2014-2015, Rs. 100 core has been allocated for setting up a Sports university in Manipur, Rs. 200 crore for upgrading the indoor and outdoor sports stadiums to international standards in Jammu and in Kashmir and Rs. 100 crore for the training of sportspersons for the forthcoming Asian and Commonwealth Games.

Government has also decided to set up national level Sports Academies for major games in different parts of the country to mainstream sports. Academies with international level facilities for training of accomplished athletes and for nurturing best talent in the country at junior and sub-junior level will also be set up for Shooting, Archery, Boxing, Wrestling, Weightlifting and various Track and field events.