Question : PLANS FOR WOMEN SPORTSPERSONS

(a) whether the Indian women sportspersons are bringing laurels and glory to the country in international sports events;

(b) if so, the steps the Union Government proposes to take to attract more and more women to various discipline of sports;

(c) the plans/strategy adopted/to be taken by the Union Government for 2010 Commonwealth Games specially for women sportspersons;

(d) whether the Union Government has received complaints of exploitation of women sportspersons; and

(e) if so, the action taken against the guilty persons including the steps taken to stop such exploitation of women sportspersons?

THE MINISTER OF PANCHAYATI RAJ AND YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS (SHRI MANI SHANKAR AIYAR)

(a) Yes, Sir.

(b) Due consideration and attention is given under all Central and Centrally Sponsored schemes for attracting and promoting talented women sportspersons. In addition, the Government of India is implementing schemes for Special Sports Scholarships for Women and the National Sports Championships for Women. Besides, the Government of India is supplementing the efforts of State Governments and National Sports Federations (NSFs) through a variety of schemes aimed at talent search, training and provision of financia assistance to promising sportspersons, and assistance to the NSFs for the participation of sportspersons/teams in international tournaments, organization of national/international tournaments in India, coaching/training of teams under Indian and foreign coaches, procurement of equipment and provision of technical and scientific back-up and support.

(c) The Government is holding discussions with the Indian Olympic Association, the Organising Committee of the Commonwealth Games-2010, the Sports Authority of India and various National Sports Federations in respect of preparation of teams and enhancement of medal prospects with reference to the Commonwealth Games-2010. In this process, identification of promising sportspersons in the women and girls category is also being given due consideration with the aim of being able to provide the required assistance, and put in place other arrangements for their preparations.

(d) & (e): The Government of India and SAI have not received any recent complaint of exploitation of women sportspersons. However, SAI has constituted a committee for redressal of complaints of sexual harassment and protection of women from sexual harassment in work places.