Question : Sports Schemes

(a) the sports schemes implemented by the Government to attract the youths towards sports especially in rural areas during the last three years;

(b) whether youth’s interest in sports has increased through the telecast of sports programs by Star Sports sponsored by the Ministry;

(c) if so, the steps being taken by the Government for the cent percent success of sports;

(d) whether the Government has any plan to establish training centres and agencies at district level to promote rural sports activities and if so, the details thereof;

(e) the status of sports federations in the rural areas; and

(f) the funds allocated to the sports federations during the last three years?

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

(a) ‘Sports’ being a State subject promotion of sports, including among rural youth, is the responsibility of States/Union Territory Governments. Central Government supplements efforts of the
State/Union Territory Governments by providing assistance through National Sports Federations, training in Sports Authority of India (SAI) Centres and support under Khelo India Scheme. Scouting and nurturing of talent, including from rural areas, and organisation of competitive events under Khelo India Scheme help promotion of sports among rural youth.

(b) & (c) Media rights were given for Khelo India Games for 5 years to Star Sports in January, 2018. Viewership of Khelo India Games, 2019 was 98.4 million. This reflects increased public interest in sports. Initiatives undertaken under Khelo India Scheme to popularize sports include Khelo India Mobile App, early scouting of sporting talent and its nurturing, bridging gaps in infrastructure, providing training facilities to sports persons and organization of Khelo India competitions.

(d) While ‘Sports’ being a State subject promotion of sports, including establishing training centres and agencies at district level, is the responsibility of State/ UT Governments, Central Government is supporting 10 Regional Centres, 4 Educational Institutions and 273 Training Centres of Sports Authority of India . These cater to talented sports persons, including those from rural areas.

(e) & (f) Sports being State subject Central Government does not monitor Sports Federations at State/ District/ Sub District level. National Sports Development Code of India, 2011 requires that National level Federation should have affiliated Units in at least two-thirds of States /UTs and each such state/ UT unit should have minimum 50 percent of their district level associations affiliated to it.

The information of funds sanctioned to various National Sports Federations for the last three years under the scheme of Assistance to National Sports Federations (NSFs) is at Annexure.
*****