Schemes for development of sports

The Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Youth Affairs and Sports Shri Sarbananda Sonowal has said that the details of the existing schemes of the Department of Sports, Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports for the development of sports in the country are as follows: (i)                “Rajiv Gandhi Khel Abhiyan” (RGKA), a centrally sponsored scheme introduced in 2014-15 in place of erstwhile Panchayat Yuva Krida aur Khel Abhiyan, aims at construction of Integrated Sports Complexes in all block panchayats of the country in a phased manner and providing access to organized sports competitions at block, district, state and national levels. (ii)             Urban Sports Infrastructure Scheme, introduced in 2010-11, envisages development of playfields by the State Governments through Playfield Associations, coach development programme through Central and State Governments, creation of infrastructure including laying of artificial turfs for hockey, football and athletics, and construction of multi-purpose hall. Under the Scheme, State Governments, local civic bodies, schools, colleges, universities and sports control boards are eligible for assistance. (iii)           Scheme of Assistance to National Sports Federations (NSFs) for conduct of National Championships at Senior, Junior, Sub-Junior level for men and women, conduct of international tournaments in India, participation of sportspersons in international sports competitions, organizing coaching camps, engagement of foreign coaches, and  procurement of sports equipments.  (iv)           National Sports Development Fund (NSDF) for various activities including giving assistance to elite athletes, who are medal prospects for their customized and tailor-made training and competition exposure. (v)             Scheme of Human Resource Development in Sports focusses on developing human resources in sports sciences and sports medicine for the overall development of sports and games in the country. The scheme also provides assistance to coaches and referees / judges to upgrade  knowledge / accreditation level and assistance for participation in and conduct of seminars in India, etc. (vi)           Scheme of Special Cash Awards for Winners of medals in international sports events and their coaches. (vii)        Scheme of Pension to Meritorious Sportspersons after they retire from active sports career with the objective of providing them financial security and incentivizing sporting achievements. (viii)      Scheme of National Sports Awards, viz, Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, Arjuna Awards, Dronacharya Awards, Dhyanchand Awards for honouring them for their achievements and contributions as sportspersons and coaches. (ix)           National Welfare Fund for Sportspersons for providing lump sum financial assistance to sportspersons now living in indigent conditions for their medical treatment etc. (x)             Scheme of Sports & Games for Persons with Disabilities for broad-basing of sports among differently-abled sportspersons by way  of conduct of training for community coaches, conduct of sports competitions and providing assistance to schools/institutes having differently-abled sportspersons on their rolls for procurement of sports equipments and engagement of coaches on contract basis. Details of the schemes of Sports Authority of India (SAI) for development of sports in the country are as under: (i) National Sports Talent Contest (NSTC): The main objective of the scheme is to identify gifted and talented sportspersons among school children in the age group of 8-14 years. (ii) Army Boys Sports Companies (ABSC) is implemented in collaboration with the   Army.  Children in the age group of 8-16 years are imparted scientific training to achieve excellence at national and international levels.  The scheme also provides job opportunities in the Indian Army.  Similar arrangements are proposed to be made in Central Para-military forces. (iii) Special Area Games (SAG): This Scheme follows an area-specific approach to scout and nurture talent for modern competitive games and sports from tribal, rural, coastal and hilly areas of the country.  The main objective of the scheme is to train talented and meritorious sportspersons in the age group of 12-18 years. (iv) SAI Training Centres (STC): Under this scheme, talented youth in the age group of 12-18  years are given the option to join the scheme on residential or non-residential basis.  (v) Centres of Excellence (COE): The main objective of this scheme is to identify and train outstanding sportspersons who are medal prospects for the country in international competitions.