With an aim of improving the country’s prospects in sports, government will undertake a slew of schemes to identify talent in schools, colleges and universities and prepare them for winning medals in international events, Rajya Sabha was informed on Wednesday.
Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Sarbananda Sonowal said the government is planning to implement a National Sports Talent Search Scheme (NSTSS) from next financial year, set up National Sports Academies and start Sports Science courses in select universities and medical colleges to address the issue.
He agreed to a suggestion by NCP leader Praful Patel, who said that National Sports Federation (NSF) should be engaged in close coordination to find sports talents for the country.
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“I support his suggestion. In near future, the National Sports Federation will participate in decision-making,” Mr. Sonowal said while replying to questions.
He said that NSTSS scheme, formulated and issued in February this year, will be implemented from next financial year and is proposed to identify sporting talent among students between 8 to 12 years, including from rural areas, and further nurture them to enable them to participate in national and international sports events and win medals and bring laurels to the country.
“The government of India proposes to set up NSA for junior and senior athletes at various places in the country to nurture sporting talent spotted through various avenues.
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However, the scheme is in conceptual stage and hence it would not be possible to furnish further details at this juncture,” the minister said.
Responding to questions about fitness problems among Indian sportspersons being a reason for their inability to win medals for the country, Mr. Sonowal said the government has decided to start Sports Science courses in some universities and some medical colleges so that scientific knowledge could be spread and used to develop the strength and endurance of the sportspersons.
He also said the government is trying to develop sports complexes in all blocks of the country in next five years under the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Abhiyan (RGKA) scheme, which was earlier called Panchayat Yuva Krida Aur Khel Abhiyan (PYKKA).
The minister urged all MPs to chip in with their cooperation in the endeavour saying it requires their “involvement”.
The minister also informed the House that the Governing Body of Sports Authority of India in its 42nd meeting has approved in principle to establish National Sports Academies in Swimming, Cycling and Shooting on pilot basis and some more are in the pipeline.
While listing the initiatives of the central government to boost sports, he said sports, being a state subject, are primarily the responsibility of the state governments to promote sports by creation of infrastructure and providing sports facilities.
“The central government only supplements the efforts in this regard,” Mr. Sonowal said responding to a question about centres developed in rural areas with world class coaching facilities.
He also said it is states, which have to identify land for setting up sports complexes in blocks.
The NDA government is committed to give the maximum possible support to Hockey India so that they can win medals, he said.
In the 22-page reply, the minister gave details of medals won in various sports events by the country.
As members insisted on more supplementary questions, Chairman Hamid Ansari pointed that it was possibly the most voluminous reply to a Question in Rajya Sabha.