Question : COMMONWEALTH AND ASIAN GAMES

(a) whether the Government has set up any steering Committee for preparation of the Indian Athletes for the next Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games;

(b) if so, the details thereof along with the number of meetings held by the Committee so far and the outcome thereof;

(c) the details of events in which India is likely to participate and the projection of medal tally for the said games;

(d) whether adequate financial resources are available for preparation and arrangement for the said Games as well as training to the sportspersons;

(e) if so, the details thereof along with the funds allocated/utilised so far for the said purpose; and

(f) if not, the corrective steps being taken by the Government in this regard?

THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE)FOR SKILL DEVELOPMENT, ENTREPRENEURSHIP, YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS (SHRI SARBANANDA SONOWAL)

(a) & (b) A Steering Committee to monitor and coordinate the work relating to major international sports events, upto Olympic Games, 2020 has been constituted under the Chairmanship of Secretary (Sports) with representatives of Sports Authority of India (SAI), concerned National Sports Federations, Indian Olympic Association, Chief Coach of the concerned discipline and Experts from the respective field.

33 meetings of Steering Committee have been held so far to consider proposals in respect of archery, yachting, athletics, badminton, boxing, cycling, gymnastics, hockey, sailing shooting, squash, taekwondo, table tennis, weightlifting, wrestling, wushu. Keeping in view the recommendations of the Steering committee, training programmes and competition exposures of sportspersons were finalised and acted upon.

(c) In 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games, Indian athletes are participating in 15 Sports disciplines viz. aquatics, athletics, badminton, boxing, cycling, gymnastics, hockey, judo, lawn bowls, shooting, squash, table tennis, weightlifting, wrestling, and para sports.

In 2014 Incheon Asian Games, Indian Athletes are likely to participate in 34 sports disciplines viz. aquatic, archery, athletics, badminton, basketball, boxing, ten pin bowling, canoeing & kayaking, Cycling, equestrian, fencing, football, gymnastic, golf, handball, hockey, judo, Kabaddi (men and women), modern pentathlon, rowing, rugby (men and women), sailing, sepak takraw, shooting, squash, soft tennis, table tennis, taekwondo, tennis, triathlon, volleyball & beach volleyball, weightlifting, wrestling, wushu.

It is the endeavour of the Ministry and Sports Authority of India to maximize medal prospects of the country in mega sports events including Commonwealth Games 2014 and Asian Games 2014. Ministry and SAI’s schemes and plans are geared towards improving medals tally significantly in mega spots events so that India emerges as a leading country in the country comity of sporting nations.

(d) to (f) Adequate funds are available in the Ministry’s Scheme of Assistance to NSFs for preparation of sportspersons and teams for their participation in international sports events including Commonwealth Games 2014 and Asian Games 2014. Details of financial assistance given to NSFs from the Scheme of Assistance to NSFs during last three years and current year are given in Annexure-I.