Parliament Question: ‘Come and Play’ Initiative

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS DEPARTMENT OF SPORTS RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 792 ANSWERED ON - 05/02/2026 ‘COME AND PLAY’ INITIATIVE 792 Dr. K. LAXMAN Will the Minister of YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS be pleased to state: (a) the details of ‘Come and Play’ initiative aimed at nurturing grassroot sports talent; (b) the number of Sports Authority of India stadiums opened for youth training; (c) the participation statistics from recent block-level sports meets; and (d) the support mechanisms available for transitioning talented youth to professional sports platforms? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS (DR. MANSUKH MANDAVIYA) (a) To optimize utilization of sporting facilities and to promote sporting culture, the scheme of ‘Come & Play’ was launched in May, 2011. The ‘Come and Play’ initiative is a programme designed to open up Sports Authority of India (SAI)-managed stadia and sports infrastructure for use by children, youth, schools, colleges, community groups and aspiring athletes to engage in regular sports activities and training. Under this initiative, SAI facilities are made available for play, coaching and physical activity to encourage utilisation of existing infrastructure, promote sports participation, and identify potential talent at the grassroots level. Further, the sports infrastructure at SAI Stadia in Delhi has been made accessible without fee to all sports persons across the country. National and State Sports Federations, league and Club are allowed/encouraged to organize sports events in all sporting facilities owned by the Government, free of cost. (b) The following Stadia in Delhi are being maintained and utilized by SAI for training of youth: 1. Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium Complex 2. Indira Gandhi Sports Complex 3. Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Swimming Pool Complex (Formerly known as Talkatora Swimming Pool) Page 1 of 24. Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium (Formerly known as National Stadium) 5. Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Ranges (Formerly known as Shooting Range Tughlakabad) (c) “Sports” being a State Subject, such data is not maintained in the Ministry. (d) SAI has established a pathway system that begins with the grassroots level and progresses through the National Centres of Excellence (NCOEs) and Senior, Junior national camps. A key team called TIDC (Talent Identification and Development Committee) actively monitors domestic tournaments, including the Khelo India Games, Asmita Khelo India Women’s League, and various national and zonal championships, such as SGFI. This ensures that young athletes, aged 12 to 24, are systematically trained and prepared for future Olympic participation. ***** Page 2 of 2