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Identification and development of young sports talent in the country is a continuous process being undertaken by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports through relevant sports promotional schemes.
Following schemes are being implemented by the Ministry for the development of sports across the country, including for talented players of small towns:
- Scheme of “Khelo India- National Programme for Development of Sports” ;
- Assistance to National Sports Federations;
- Special Awards to Winners in International Sports Events and their Coaches;
- National Sports Awards;
- Pension to Meritorious Sportspersons;
- Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay National Sports Welfare Scheme;
- vii. National Sports Development Fund; and
- Sports Training Centres through Sports Authority of India.
Details of the above schemes are available in the public domain on the websites of the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports and the Sports Authority of India.
The Union Government supplements the efforts of state government by bridging critical gaps. Further, various programmes have been launched under the Khelo India scheme to promote sports and improve the level of sports and infrastructural facilities including stadiums, playing fields, tracks and sports training in the country including District Level (including towns and villages).
Under ‘Khelo India’ Scheme, 32 Khelo India State Centre of Excellence and 1059 Khelo India Centres are being supported. A total of 302 Academies are accredited for training of athletes identified under the scheme. At present, 2737 athletes (1411 Boys and 1326 Girls) have been identified. Further, infrastructural facilities such as stadiums, playing fields, tracks and sports, etc. have also been developed across the country including district, town and village levels.
Under the component ‘Khelo India Centres and Sports Academies’ of the ‘Khelo India’ Scheme, the sportsperson identified is provided financial assistance of ₹6.28 lakhs per annum (including ₹1.20 Lakhs as Out of Pocket Allowance) towards equipment support, training expenses, coaching, competitions exposure etc. They are given option to join the accredited Khelo India Academies.
Sports Authority of India (SAI), an autonomous body under the Ministry, also implements the following schemes to identify talented sportspersons in various age groups and nurture them to excel at district, national, and international levels:
- National Centres of Excellence (NCOE)
- SAI Training Centre (STC)
- Extension Centre of STC
- National Sports Talent Contest (NSTC)
A total of 187 Centres, including NCOEs, STCs and Extension Centres etc. are functional for implementation of above promotional schemes of SAI where 9,432 talented sportspersons (5,704 Boys and 3,728 Girls) are being trained in various sports disciplines on residential and non-residential basis. The selected athletes are provided support, which includes sports equipment, expert coaching, boarding and lodging, sports kit etc.
The Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya stated this in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.
