Parliament Question: Sports Development in Rural Areas

Government of India Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports Department of Sports LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. †*432 TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.03.2026 Sports Development in Rural Areas †*432. SHRI ARUN KUMAR SAGAR: Will the Minister of YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS be pleased to state: (a) the details of the schemes available at the national level for the development of sports facilities in rural areas; (b) the details of facilities provided under the said schemes, particularly with regard to the development of playgrounds and provision of sports training; (c) the number of villages in the Shahjahanpur Lok Sabha Constituency where sports facilities have been developed under the said schemes; (d) the current status of the availability of sports facilities and maintenance of sports infrastructure in the country, State/UT-wise; and (e) whether the said schemes have had any impact on the participation of rural youth in sports and if so, the details thereof? 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 PARTS (a) TO (e) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. †*432 TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.03.2026 REGARDING “SPORTS DEVELOPMENT IN RURAL AREAS” ASKED BY SHRI ARUN KUMAR SAGAR, HON’BLE MEMBER OF LOK SABHA. (a) to (e) ‘Sports’ being a State subject, the responsibility of development of sports, including development of sports facilities such as playgrounds in rural areas and maintenance of sports infrastructure, rests primarily with the respective State/Union Territory Governments. The Union Government only supplements their efforts by bridging critical gaps. The Khelo India Scheme and National Sports Development Fund (NSDF), implemented by this Ministry, under which financial assistance for development of sports infrastructure is provided are demand-driven schemes. The proposals received from the State/ Union Territory Governments and other eligible entities are considered for financial support, subject to their completeness, technical feasibility and availability of funds under the scheme. The Khelo India Scheme provides support for creation and upgradation of sports infrastructure, establishment of Khelo India Centres (KIC), support to Khelo India State Centres of Excellence (KISCE), Khelo India Accredited Academies (KIAA), and training and support to Khelo India Athletes (KIA). SAI also runs National Centres of Excellence (NCoE), Sports Training Centres (STC) and Extension Centres for coaching and training. Thus, support is provided both for development of sports facilities, sports infrastructure, and for sports training. Details of the above schemes are available on the websites of the Ministry and SAI. Details of facilities under Khelo India are available at https://dashboard.kheloindia.gov.in, assistance under NSDF at http://www.nsdf.yas.gov.in/nsdf-glance.html, and SAI training facilities at https://sportsauthorityofindia.nic.in. As regards Shahjahanpur Lok Sabha Constituency, scheme-wise details of sports facilities supported under the Ministry’s programmes are available in the respective public dashboards. However, village-wise data mapped separately to parliamentary constituency boundaries is not maintained in this Ministry. Page 2 of 3Maintenance of sports infrastructure is undertaken by the concerned grantee, including State/UT Governments. State/UT-wise details of all sports facilities in the country is not maintained in this Ministry. The impact of these schemes is reflected in the expansion of sports infrastructure, training centres, athlete support and competition opportunities at the grassroots level, including in rural areas. However, this Ministry has not conducted any separate rural-only or village-wise assessment of participation. **** Page 3 of 3