See Full Document Text
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
DEPARTMENT OF SPORTS
RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3198
ANSWERED ON - 19/03/2026
PROMOTION OF SPORTS IN MAHARASHTRA
3198 SHRI DHANANJAY BHIMRAO MAHADIK:
Will the Minister of YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS be pleased to state:
(a) the details of initiatives to promote professional and competitive sports in Maharashtra during the last
five years;
(b) how many athletes have received scholarships, training support and exposure to national and
international competitions;
(c) the measures being taken to develop Centres of Excellence to identify talent in rural and tribal areas
and ensure scientific coaching and fitness support; and
(d) how the Ministry coordinates with the State authorities to enhance sports promotion, provide financial
and infrastructural assistance and encourage participation in various disciplines, thereby improving the
State’s performance in national and international sporting events and fostering a culture of sports
excellence?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
(DR. MANSUKH MANDAVIYA)
(a) "Sports" being a State subject, the primary responsibility for development and promotion of sports
rests with the respective State/UT Government. However, to support the efforts of State Governments,
Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports through Sports Authority of India is implementing the following
Sports Promotional Schemes in the State of Maharashtra to identify talented sportspersons in the various
age groups and nurture them to excel at national and international levels:
National Centres of Excellence (NCOE)
National Sports Talent Contest (NSTC)
(its Sub-Schemes - Akharas)
Further, through the Khelo India:
A total of 43 Khelo India Centres (KICs) have been notified across 36 districts in the State of
Maharashtra.
01 Khelo India State Centre of Excellence (KISCE) has been notified at the Shivchhatrapati Sports
Complex in Pune for high-performance training in Shooting, Athletics, and Cycling.
Page 1 of 2 The State has actively participated in 23 editions of the Khelo India Games (Youth, University,
Winter, Para, and Beach Games), which serve as a national platform for talent scouting.
The ASMITA League, through the component of Promotion of Inclusiveness through Sports, has
organized 117 leagues in Maharashtra, witnessing participation from 20,716 women athletes.
(b) A total of 314 athletes from Maharashtra are currently identified as Khelo India Athletes (KIAs) and
receive comprehensive support. Further, 19 athletes (including 3 para-athletes) are provided assistance
under Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS for specialized training and international competition
exposure.
(c) Sports Authority of India (SAI) has established NCOEs across the country to provide world-class
training facilities, scientific coaching, sports science support, nutrition, medical care and residential
facilities to talented athletes. The majority of the sportspersons identified under SAI Sports Promotional
Schemes belong to the rural, backward & tribal population of the country.
Apart from above, the NCSSR Scheme primarily focuses on promotion of sports science research,
academic programmes and scientific support systems for athletes. Scientific support including fitness
assessment, monitoring of training load and performance evaluation is extended to athletes training at
SAI centres as part of the sports science support framework.
The 'Promotion of rural and indigenous/tribal games' sub-component of the Khelo India Scheme, is
specifically dedicated to the development and promotion of rural and Indigenous games in the country.
Indigenous games like Mallakhamb, Kalaripayattu, Gatka, Thang-Ta, Yogasana and Silambam have been
identified for promotion under this component and were made part of Khelo India Games.
(d) The Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports supplements efforts of the State/UT Government through its
following sports promotional schemes.
(i) Khelo India;
(ii) Assistance to National Sports Federations;
(iii) Cash Incentive to Medal Winners in International sports events and their Coaches;
(iv) National Sports Awards;
(v) Sports Fund for Pension to Meritorious Sports Persons;
(vi) Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay National Welfare Program for Sportspersons;
(vii) National Sports Development Fund; and
(viii) Sports Promotional Schemes implemented through Sports Authority of India (SAI).
Details of these schemes are in the public domain on the websites of this Ministry and SAI.
*****
Page 2 of 2