Question : Policy to Promote Football

(a) whether the Government has any policy/plan to promote football and if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether the Government proposes to promote football in naxal and extremism affected areas like Chatra, Latehar and Palamu districts of the Jharkhand and Mahasamund district and other districts of Chhattisgarh and whether facility has been provided for this purpose;
(c) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
(d) whether any sports scheme is being run by the Government for extremely backward, naxal and extremism affected areas of the country, if so, the details thereof; and
(e) the names of proposed and ongoing sports schemes in Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe dominated areas like Chatra, Latehar and Palamu Districts of Jharkhand including Mahasamund district and other districts of Chhattisgarh?

THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
[SHRI KIREN RIJIJU]

(a) to (c) ‘Sports’ being State subject, the responsibility of promotion and development of sports rests with State Governments and the concerned National Sports Federations (NSFs). Central Government supplements their efforts. All India Football Federation (AIFF) is the recognized NSF for football. Based on Annual Calendar of Training and Competitions submitted by AIFF, the Central Government had approved financial assistance to the tune of Rs.23.08 crore in 2018-19 and Rs.30.00 crore in 2019-20. It is the responsibility of AIFF to plan developmental priorities at State / District level in consultation with respective State and District affiliates. Central Government does not interfere with planning and development process of AIFF.

(d) The Government is implementing ‘Khelo India’ Scheme with 12 verticals is applicable for entire country. Out of 12 verticals, one vertical, namely, ‘Sports for Peace and Development’ is dedicated for conducting sports competition in left wing extremism affected areas of the country.

(e) The major sports promotional schemes of this Ministry, viz. ‘Scheme of Assistance to National Sports Federations’ and ‘Khelo India’ are applicable for all areas including Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe dominated areas.

In addition, Sports Authority of India (SAI), an autonomous organization under the aegis of the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, is implementing following sports promotional schemes across the country including Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe dominated areas to identify talented sports persons in the age group of 8-25 years and nurture them to excel at national and international competitions:
. National Sports Talent Contest Scheme (NSTC)
. Army Boys Sports Company (ABSC)
. SAI Training Centre (STC)
. Special Area Games (SAG)
. Extension Centre of STC/SAG
. Centre of Excellence (COE)
. National Sports Academies (NSA)
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