Parliament Question: Football Infrastructure in Vicharpur

Government of India Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports Department of Sports LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 116 TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.07.2026 Football Infrastructure in Vicharpur †*116. SMT. HIMADRI SINGH: Will the Minister of YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS be pleased to state: (a) whether any special plan is under consideration of the Government for imparting training to the talented players of 'Vicharpur' village in Shahdol district of Madhya Pradesh, renowned as 'Mini Brazil' due to the exceptional passion of the youth of the said village for football and if so, the details thereof; (b) whether the Government proposes to set up any hostel of Sports Authority of India (SAI) or a residential training centre for the players in Vicharpur so as to provide world-class facilities to the rural talents; (c) if so, the present status of the said project along with the timeline fixed for its completion; (d) if not, whether the Government proposes to upgrade the sports facilities, such as a high-quality ground, gym, dressing room and hostel in view of the global identity of the said village and the stellar performance of the said football players; and (e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS [DR. MANSUKH MANDAVIYA] (a) to (e) A statement is laid on the Table of the House. ***** Page 1 of 3STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (a) to (e) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. †*116 TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.07.2026 REGARDING “FOOTBALL INFRASTRUCTURE IN VICHARPUR” ASKED BY SMT. HIMADRI SINGH, HON’BLE MEMBER OF LOK SABHA (a) to (e) ‘Sports’ being a State Subject, the responsibility of promotion of sports rests primarily with the respective State/UT Governments. However, the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports through the Sports Authority of India (SAI), supplements the efforts of the State Governments through various Sports Promotional Schemes for identification, nurturing and development of talented sportspersons across different age groups. The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports implements the following schemes for the promotion of sports in the country, including in the State of Madhya Pradesh: (i) Khelo India - National Programme for Development of Sports; (ii) Assistance to National Sports Federations (NSFs); (iii) Cash Incentives to Medal Winners in International Sports Events and their Coaches; (iv) National Sports Awards; (v) Pension to Meritorious Sportspersons; (vi) Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay National Welfare Program for Sportspersons; (vii) National Sports Development Fund; (viii) Running Sports Training Centres through Sports Authority of India (SAI); and (ix) National Centre for Sports Science and Research (NCSSR). Details of the above schemes are available in the public domain on the websites of this Ministry and the Sports Authority of India. Proposals from the State Government/UT Administration, as and when received, are considered for financial assistance in accordance with the Scheme Guidelines, subject to their completeness, technical feasibility, eligibility and availability of funds. Football is one of the recognized disciplines under these Sports Promotional Schemes. Athletes selected under the schemes are provided support in accordance with the approved scheme norms, Page 2 of 3including boarding and lodging, coaching by qualified coaches, sports science and medical support, sports equipment, training infrastructure, field-of-play facilities, education, competition exposure and other allied facilities, as per the approved scheme norms. Further, under the Khelo India scheme, there is a Khelo India Centre of football established in the Shahdol District of Madhya Pradesh. The centre currently provides structured grassroots training and coaching under a Past Champion Athlete (PCA) to 38 young football trainees. ***** Page 3 of 3