Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports Recognizes Kalarippayattu Federation of India for Promoting Kalarippayattu Nationally

Inclusion of any sport discipline in the Olympic Games is decided by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Among other things, IOC has prescribed that a sport discipline must be governed by an International Federation which undertakes to follow the rules of the Olympic Charter, and the sport must also be practised widely across the world and meet various criteria.

Sport, being a State subject, it is responsibility of State Government / UT Administrations for creation of Sports infrastructure for various Sports including Kalaripayattu. The responsibility for promotion of specific sports at international level is that of the concerned international sports bodies regulating that sport discipline. However, the Ministry has recognised the Indian Kalarippayattu Federation as the Regional Sports Federation to promote ‘Kalarippayattu’ in the country.

The Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, stated this in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.