Parliament Question: Participation of Women and Girls in Sports

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS (DEPARTMENT OF SPORTS) LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2508 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.08.2025 Participation of Women and Girls in Sports

2508. Smt. Poonamben Hematbhai Maadam:

Will the Minister of YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has taken any steps to promote and encourage participation of women and girls in sports across the country;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Government has taken any steps to ensure equitable access to training facilities and sports infrastructure for female athletes;

(d) if so, the details thereof; and

(e) whether the Government has established three Sports Authority of India

(SAI) training centres exclusively for female athletes, if so, the details thereof? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS { DR. MANSUKH MANDAVIYA }

(a) to (d) ‘Sports’ being a State subject, the responsibility of development of sports, including taking steps to promote and encourage participation of women and girls in sports and ensure equitable access to training facilities and sports infrastructure for female athletes, rests primarily with the respective State/Union Territory Governments. The Union Government only supplements their efforts by bridging critical gaps. The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports implements the following schemes for the promotion of sports in the country, including for female sportspersons:

(i) Khelo India - National Programme for Development of Sports;

(ii) Assistance to National Sports Federations;

Page 1 of 2(iii) Cash Incentive 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; and

(viii) Running Sports Training Centres through Sports Authority of India.

Details of the above schemes are available in the public domain on the websites of this Ministry and the Sports Authority of India.

Further, the sub-component “Sports for women” of “Promotion of Inclusiveness through Sports” component of the Khelo India Scheme promotes and encourage participation of women and girls in sports across the country. Accordingly, Khelo India Women League was started in 2021 to offer opportunities to women for participating & excelling in sporting activities. It was renamed as ASMITA League which Stands for “Achieving Sports Milestone by Inspiring Women Through Action”. Under this initiative, various Khelo India Women’s Leagues are being conducted. As on date, women leagues have been organized in 29 sports disciplines across the country. Total 1310 competitions have been organized for Women athletes with 138875 participants. This initiative has significantly increased women participation in sports across the nation and has provided ample opportunities to women athletes to compete, learn and grow in all age groups.

(e) Yes Sir. In order to pay a special attention to women sportsperson Sports Authority of India (SAI), an autonomous body under the aegis of this Ministry, has established the following four sports training centres

exclusively for women sportspersons: i) NCOE Dharamshala (Himachal Pradesh) having 51 women athletes (Kabaddi & Volleyball) ii) STC Badal (Punjab) having 71 women athletes (Athletics, Boxing, Hockey & Volleyball) iii) STC Thalassery (Kerala) having 92 women athletes (Athletics, Fencing, Gymnastics, Volleyball & Wrestling) iv) STC Solalgaon (Assam) having 52 women athletes (Boxing, Football & Weightlifting) ***** Page 2 of 2