(a) the details of sports stadiums in the North-Eastern States, location-wise;
(b) the details of stadiums out of these which can hold national and international events;
(c) whether the Government proposes to set up more sports infrastructures in these States and if so, the details thereof; and
(d) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to promote sports in these States?
THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE)
FOR YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS
(SHRI VIJAY GOEL)
(a)& (b) Sports is a State subject and, therefore promotion of Sports is primarily the responsibility of the State Government. The Central Government complements/supplements the efforts of the State Governments. This Ministry does not keep any record/details of sports stadiums created by the State Governments in the North-Eastern States, location-wise or the details of stadiums which can hold national and international events. However, the 12th South Asian Games, 2016, were held in Guwahati, Assam and Shillong, Meghalaya. In Guwahati, the
stadia/facilities in which they were held are Indira Gandhi Athletics Stadium, Nehru Stadium, Maulana M. Tayyebulla Hockey Stadium, Sports Authority of India (SAI) Sports Complex, All Assam Tennis Association, Tennis Complex, Deshbhakta Tarun Ram Phookan (DTRP) Indoor Stadium, R.G. Baruah Sports Complex, Lakshmibai National Institute of Physical Education (LNIPE) Indoor Stadium, Tepesia, Sonapur, Kahilipara Shooting Range, Karmabir Nabin Chandra Bordoloi Indoor Stadium, Dr. Zakir Hussain Aquatic Complex, and Bhogeshwari Phukanani Indoor Hall. In Shillong, the stadia/facilities used were Jawaharlal Nehru Sports Complex and Sports Authority of India-Special Area Games (SAI-SAG) Centre, North Eastern Hill University (NEHU), North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health & Medical Sciences (NEIGRIHMS) Indoor Hall and Assam Rifles Indoor Stadium. Similarly National Games have also been held in Imphal, Manipur and Guwahati, Assam.
(c) A Scheme called “Khelo India – National Programme for Development of Sports” is being implemented by this Ministry as a Central Sector Scheme from the current financial year 2016-17. The Scheme, inter-alia, provides for creation of sports infrastructure, namely, Synthetic Athletic Track, Synthetic Hockey Field, Synthetic Turf Football Ground, Multipurpose hall, Swimming pool and construction of stadia complex. The scheme is demand-driven. Proposals, as and when received from States, if complete in all respects, and found feasible are being considered subject to availability of funds under the Scheme. However, construction of stadia complex will be decided by this Ministry after taking into account the various facilities available in a State.
(d) Apart from the Khelo India Scheme, which provides for promotion of sports in the entire country, including the North Eastern States, in order to promote sports in Himalayan Region a Scheme, namely, Himalayan Region Sports Festival (HRSF) has been formulated in which the seven North Eastern States, Sikkim, Jammu & Kashmir, Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh will participate. Besides, it is proposed to invite countries such as Nepal and Bhutan.
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