Executive Summary:
This document is the response of the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports to questions raised in the Lok Sabha regarding sports infrastructure and athlete support in the Bhiwani-Mahendragarh Lok Sabha constituency. The response details steps taken to enhance sports infrastructure, the establishment of Khelo India Centres, athlete support programs, plans for SAI training centers, and initiatives to promote traditional sports. The answer was provided on July 21, 2025.
Key Points / Main Content:
* **Sports Infrastructure Development:**
* The development of sports infrastructure is primarily the responsibility of State/Union Territory Governments.
* The Union Government supplements these efforts through the Khelo India Scheme and National Sports Development Fund (NSDF).
* Details of sanctioned projects are available on the Ministry's dashboards.
* **Khelo India Centres (KIC):**
* Rajiv Gandhi Khel Parisar Tigrana, Bhiwani, and Rajiv Gandhi Khel Parisar Achina, Charki Dadri, are notified as Khelo India Centres in the Bhiwani-Mahendragarh Lok Sabha constituency.
* 65 athletes are being trained in these 2 KICs.
* **Athlete Support:**
* No athletes from the Bhiwani-Mahendragarh constituency are currently supported under the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS).
* **SAI Training Centres:**
* Sports Authority of India (SAI) is restructuring its Sports Promotional Schemes.
* The focus is on strengthening existing centers, given current infrastructure and financial considerations.
* There are no immediate plans to set up new SAI centers in the specified constituency.
* **Promotion of Traditional Sports:**
* The Ministry implements various schemes to promote sports, including kabaddi, wrestling, and other traditional sports:
* Khelo India National Programme for Development of Sports.
* Assistance to National Sports Federations.
* Special Awards to Winners in International Sports Events and their Coaches.
* National Sports Awards.
* Pension to Meritorious Sportspersons.
* Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay National Sports Welfare Fund.
* National Sports Development Fund.
* Running Sports Training Centres through Sports Authority of India.
* Details of these schemes are available on the websites of the Ministry and SAI.
Impact Analysis:
State/Union Territory Governments:
* Impact: Primarily responsible for sports infrastructure development, with the Union Government providing supplemental support.
* Action Required: Continue developing sports infrastructure and coordinate with the Union Government for additional support through the Khelo India Scheme and NSDF.
Athletes in Bhiwani-Mahendragarh Constituency:
* Impact: Access to training at the two Khelo India Centres.
* Action Required: Utilize the resources and training available at the Khelo India Centres to improve performance. Aspire to meet the criteria for support under the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS).
Sports Authority of India (SAI):
* Impact: Focus on restructuring and strengthening existing sports promotional schemes and training centers.
* Action Required: Continue restructuring efforts, prioritize strengthening existing centers, and monitor the effectiveness of the revised schemes.
Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports:
* Impact: Responsible for implementing schemes to promote sports and providing financial assistance.
* Action Required: Continue implementing and monitoring the various sports promotion schemes and ensure information is accessible to the public through the Ministry and SAI websites.
Key Entities Referenced
Bhiwani-Mahendragarh Lok Sabha Constituency: A parliamentary constituency in Haryana, India, serving as the geographical focus of the sports infrastructure inquiry.
Khelo India Scheme: A national program for the development of sports in India, aimed at promoting sports at the grassroots level and identifying talented athletes.
National Sports Development Fund NSDF: A fund established by the Indian government to support the development of sports and sports infrastructure in the country.
Haryana: A state in India where sports infrastructure development is being supplemented by the Union Government.
Target Olympic Podium Scheme TOPS: A flagship program of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports to provide assistance to India's top athletes.
Sports Authority of India SAI: An autonomous body under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports responsible for promoting sports and developing athletes in India.
Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya: The Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports at the time of the response to the Lok Sabha question.
Rajiv Gandhi Khel Parisar: Sports complexes located in Tigrana, Bhiwani and Achina, Charki Dadri, Haryana, that have been notified as Khelo India Centres.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS
(DEPARTMENT OF SPORTS)
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 141
TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.07.2025
Sports Infrastructure in Bhiwani-Mahendragarh Lok Sabha Constituency
141. Shri Dharambir Singh:
Will the Minister of YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS be pleased to state:
(a) the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to enhance
sports infrastructure in rural districts like Bhiwani, Charkhi Dadri and
Mahendragarh;
(b) whether Khelo India Centres established in the Bhiwani-Mahendragarh
Lok Sabha constituency and if so, the details thereof;
(c) the number of athletes of the said constituency supported under Target
Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) or any other Central Government scheme;
(d) the criteria adopted by the Government for opening new SAI training
centres in Haryana and whether there is any plan to set up such centres in
any of the districts falling under the said constituency;
(e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
(f) whether the Government has any specific plans to promote kabaddi,
wrestling and other traditional sports in this region 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 development of sports infrastructure across the country,
rests primarily with the State/Union Territory Governments. The Union
Government supplements their efforts by bridging critical gaps. Under the
Khelo India Scheme and National Sports Development Fund (NSDF),
implemented by this Ministry, various sports infrastructure projects, across
Page 1 of 2the country, including in the rural areas and Haryana have been sanctioned.
The details are available in public domain on the dashboards of the Ministry
at https://mdsd.kheloindia.gov.in and http://www.nsdf.yas.gov.in/nsdf-
glance.html.
(b) Yes, Sir. Rajiv Gandhi Khel Parisar Tigrana, Bhiwani and Rajiv Gandhi
Khel Parisar Achina, Charki Dadri, have been notified as Khelo India Centres
in the Bhiwani-Mahendragarh Lok Sabha constituency.
(c) No athletes of Bhiwani-Mahendragarh constituency are being currently
supported under Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS). A total of 65
athletes are trained in the 2 KICs notified in the Bhiwani-Mahendragarh Lok
Sabha constituency.
(d) and (e) Sports Authority of India (SAI), an autonomous body under the
aegis of this Ministry, has undertaken an exercise of restructuring its Sports
Promotional Schemes to ensure more focused and effective development of
athletes. Given the existing sports infrastructure and financial
considerations, the emphasis is currently on strengthening the capabilities
of the existing centres to drive excellence in sports.
(f) The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports implements the following
schemes for the promotion of sports in the country, including to promote
kabaddi, wrestling and other traditional sports:
(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.
*****
Page 2 of 2