Question : UPGRADATION OF TRADITIONAL GAMES

(a) whether the Government has any proposal to upgrade the standard of traditional games like Kabaddi and Kho-Kho,etc. ;

(b) if so, the details thereof; and

(c) if not, the reasons therefor ?

THE MINISTER OF PANCHAYATI RAJ, YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS AND DEVELOPMENT OF NORTH EASTERN REGION (SHRI MANI SHANKAR AIYAR)

(a) to (c): The draft Comprehensive National Sports Policy, 2007, at present under discussion with stakeholders, states as follows with regards to traditional games:

`A key element of the overall strategy of the Comprehensive Sports Policy must include securing national and international recognition for indigenous games in which we have a natural cultural and civilizational advantage, an activity which advances community pride and self-confidence, where expertise and facilities for training/coaching are, by definition, locally available, where local spectator participation is assured, where domestic and even international rural tourism is likely to be generated, and where some indigenous games can attain the kind of international recognition and support that indigenous East Asian disciplines like judo, karate, wushu and taekwondo have secured`.

Meanwhile, Government, through its various schemes and those of the Sports Authority of India, augments the efforts of the recognized National Sports Federations (NSFs), including those dealing with traditional games such as Kabaddi and Kho-Kho, by providing financial assistance for training and participation in international events abroad, holding of national and international tournaments in India, coaching/training of national teams/sportspersons through Indian and foreign coaches, procurement of equipment and other scientific support.

SAI`s efforts for the promotion of traditional games are channelised through the adoption of Navodaya Vidyalayas under the National Sports Talent Contest Scheme; the adoption of Akharas; and the Special Area Games Scheme for tribal, coastal, hilly & rural areas.

In addition, SAI is also implementing the All India Rural Sports Tournaments and the North-East Sports Festival Scheme to broad-base games and sports and tap hidden talent in rural areas.