Implementation of schemes for promotion/development of sports

Implementation of schemes for promotion/development of sports

The Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Youth Affairs & Sports, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal has said that the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports is implementing only one Centrally Sponsored Scheme for development of sports, namely the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Abhiyan (RGKA), w.e.f. 01.04.2014. This Scheme provides for construction of an integrated sports complex in each block of the country both for outdoor and indoor sports disciplines and also provides for grant-in-aid for holding competitions at block, district, State and National levels.

In a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today the Minister said, in addition, the Sports Authority of India (SAI), an autonomous body under the aegis of the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, implements the following sports promotional schemes all over the country in order to identify young sports talent in the age group ranging from 8-25 years and to nurture them to excel at National and International competitions:

In a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today the Minister said, the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Abhiyan (RGKA) Scheme provided for funding of infrastructure component through convergence of various schemes implemented by Ministry of Rural Development, Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Ministry of Development of North East Region, and erstwhile Planning Commission. However, no funds could be obtained towards infrastructure due to non-convergence of various schemes by the concerned Ministries. Accordingly, the Government of India, after consultation with the State Governments/Sports Authority of India (SAI), etc., has decided to restructure and merge a number of Centrally Sponsored Schemes, including the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of RGKA, into one Central Sector Scheme to address talent search, grooming of talent and provision of infrastructure to ensure its effective implementation.