Parliament Question: Promotion of Sports among Tribal Youth

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS (DEPARTMENT OF SPORTS) LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 138 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.07.2025 Promotion of Sports among Tribal Youth 138. Adv Gowaal Kagada Padavi: Will the Minister of YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS be pleased to state: (a) the details of the efforts being made by the Government to promote sports among tribal youth to identify the talent at grassroots levels; (b) whether any dedicated tribal sports academies are operational under Khelo India or similar schemes and if so, the details thereof; (c) the number of tribal athletes participated in the national and international competitions; (d) the level of infrastructure and coaching support being provided in tribal areas; (e) whether scholarships and incentives are available for the tribal sports achievers and if so, the details thereof; and (f) whether there is any roadmap to promote indigenous tribal sports and games and if so, the details thereof? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS { DR. MANSUKH MANDAVIYA } (a) ‘Sports’ being a State subject, the responsibility of development of sports, including promoting sports among tribal youth to identify the talent at grassroots levels, 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 and initiatives for the promotion of sports in the country, including among tribal youth to identify the talent at grassroots levels: Page 1 of 3(i) Khelo India- National Programme for Development of Sports; (ii) Assistance to National Sports Federations; (iii) Special Awards to Winners in International Sports Events and their Coaches; (iv) National Sports Awards; (v) Pension to Meritorious Sportspersons;. (vi) Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay National Sports Welfare Fund; (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. (b) Under the Khelo India Scheme, a total of 306 Khelo India Accredited Academies are operational, some of which may include athletes from tribal background also. The details of these academies are available at https://dashboard.kheloindia.gov.in. (c) Sportspersons are selected based on their potential across all communities. However, majority of the sportspersons identified under schemes of this Ministry belong to the rural and backward areas including tribal areas of the country and they are provided with regular training as per the approved norms under various schemes. Community-wise details are not maintained in this Ministry. (d) The Government has undertaken several initiatives to strengthen infrastructure and coaching support in tribal areas with the objective of promoting inclusive sports development. Financial assistance is provided under Khelo India Scheme, National Sports Development Funds (NSDF) and the Scheme of Assistance to National Sports Federations (NSFs), through creation and upgradation of sports infrastructure, training facilities, and the deployment of qualified coaches including in tribal regions. These schemes ensure that athletes from tribal communities have access to essential components of high-performance training, including quality coaching, sports equipment, nutritional support, lodging, travel assistance, and scientific and medical support. (e) Yes, Sir. Selected athletes, including those from tribal communities, are provided financial assistance under various government schemes. This support includes provisions for expert coaching, sports equipment, boarding and lodging, sports kits, competition exposure, educational expenses, insurance, miscellaneous expenses, and a monthly stipend. These benefits Page 2 of 3are extended as per the norms approved under the respective schemes. Additionally, under the Khelo India programme, comprehensive support is extended to identified athletes, including those from tribal backgrounds. Each Khelo India Athlete (KIA) receives funding of up to ₹6.28 lakh per annum. This support includes specialised training, access to world-class facilities, participation in international competitions, and a monthly out-of- pocket allowance of ₹10,000. (f) To support and promote traditional and indigenous games, especially those practiced by tribal communities, the Sports Authority of India (SAI), an autonomous body under the aegis of this Ministry, is implementing a dedicated sub-scheme called Indigenous Games & Martial Arts (IGMA) under the National Sports Talent Contest (NSTC). Through this initiative, SAI provides support for various traditional games including Silambam, Kalaripayatu, Malkhamb, Khomlainai, Gatka, Mukna, Thang-Ta, and Kabaddi. Further, under the Khelo India Scheme, a specific sub-component called “Promotion of Rural/Indigenous & Tribal Games” has been introduced to revive and encourage indigenous sports. This component presently supports games such as Kalaripayatu, Malkhamb, Gatka, Yogasana, and Thang-Ta. In addition, to give further impetus to these games, the Government has introduced the Indigenous Games League, aimed at creating a structured competitive platform for indigenous disciplines. As part of this effort, the first Indigenous Games League events were successfully conducted in Gatka and Thang-Ta during January and February at Patiala and Imphal, respectively. ***** Page 3 of 3