(a) whether the Government has initiated any schemes for the development of sports/games and sports institutions for tribal and hilly areas of the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
(c) whether the Government has any plan to introduce new schemes for nurturing sportspersons belonging to tribal areas; and
(d) if so, the time by which these new schemes are likely to be introduced?
THE MINISTER OF YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS
{ SHRI ANURAG SINGH THAKUR }
(a) to (d) ‘Sports’ being a State subject, the responsibility of development of sports, including development of sports/games and sports institutions for tribal and hilly areas of the country, rests primarily with the State / Union Territory Governments. Central Government supplements their efforts by bridging critical gaps. The Central Government promotes sports/sports institutions all over the country, including the tribal and hilly areas. Under the Khelo India Scheme of this Ministry launched in the year 2016-17, ‘Promotion of rural and indigenous/tribal games’ is a priority area. Further, a majority of the sportspersons getting benefits under various schemes of this Ministry belong to the rural, backward, tribal and hilly areas of the country.
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