Parliament Question: Revival and Promotion of Traditional Sports

Government of India Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports Department of Sports LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5889 TO BE ANSWERED ON 30.03.2026 Revival and Promotion of Traditional Sports 5889. SHRI NAVASKANI K: SHRI C N ANNADURAI: SHRI SELVAM G: Will the Minister of YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government has undertaken any mapping or documentation of indigenous sports practised under the Khelo India initiative in the villages of Tamil Nadu, including traditional disciplines, such as Silambam, Sadugudu and other rural athletic activities along with the details of support extended for their revival and standardisation; (b) whether the Government has assessed the participation of youth from aspirational, tribal and drought-prone districts of Tamil Nadu in Khelo India competitions, training centres and talent scouting camps and if so, the details thereof, district-wise; (c) whether the Government has taken any steps to establish or support Khelo India Centres, training hubs or community sports infrastructure dedicated to indigenous games and martial traditions in Tamil Nadu and if so, the details thereof; and (d) whether the Government proposes to introduce demonstration leagues, school competitions or national festivals dedicated to traditional Tamil sports under the said initiative and if so, the details thereof along with the timeline therefor? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS [ DR. MANSUKH MANDAVIYA ] Page 1 of 3(a) to (d) ‘Sports’ being a State subject, the responsibility for development of sports, including taking steps or formulating policies for the preservation, promotion and development of traditional and indigenous sports, creation of infrastructure, providing financial assistance to athletes and coaches, allocation and utilisation of funds, promoting awareness and popularising traditional and indigenous Indian sports, and expanding initiatives for the promotion of traditional sports, rests primarily with the respective State/Union Territory Governments. The Union Government supplements their efforts by bridging critical gaps. However, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports is promoting indigenous, rural and tribal games under the Khelo India Scheme through the sub-component “Promotion of Rural/Indigenous and Tribal Games”. Under this sub-component, traditional disciplines are identified and supported for revival, preservation and wider participation. Silambam, a traditional martial art of Tamil Nadu, has been recognized as one of the supported indigenous games, along with disciplines such as Mallakhamb, Kalaripayattu, Yogasana, Gatka and Thang-Ta. Financial assistance is also extended to State Governments, educational institutions, local sports bodies and community organizations for conduct of competitions, training, awareness activities and other promotional efforts relating to indigenous games. Through the Khelo India Scheme, a total of 1066 Khelo India Centres (KICs) have been notified across 36 States/UTs, including 39 KICs in Tamil Nadu to strengthen training at the district level. This includes a dedicated KIC for Mallakhamb in the Viluppuram district to nurture traditional talent, training 63 athletes. Nationwide, 258 KICs have been established across 174 priority tribal districts to ensure that remote talent has access to quality coaching. Traditional games are also promoted through national platforms under Khelo India and Fit India. In this context, Silambam was showcased as a demonstration sport during the Khelo India Youth Games 2023 held in Tamil Nadu. Inclusion of indigenous disciplines in demonstration or competitive formats in Khelo India events is considered from time to time with a view to preserving and promoting India’s traditional sporting heritage. The details of various sports facilities under the Khelo India Scheme, such as Sports Infrastructure, Khelo India Centres (KIC), Khelo India State Centres of Excellence (KISCE) and Khelo India Accredited Academies (KIAA) along with Khelo India Athletes (KIA), across the Page 2 of 3country, including in the State of Tamil Nadu, are available in the public domain on the dashboard of the Ministry at https://dashboard.kheloindia.gov.in. **** Page 3 of 3