Auxilliary programmes to incentivize implementation of NSTC Scheme The Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Youth Affairs and Sports Shri Sarbananda Sonowal has said that Government of India through Sports Authority of India (SAI) is implementing National Sports Talent Contest (NSTC) Scheme. The scheme scouts sports talent in the age group of 8-14 years from schools and nurtures them into future medal hopes by providing scientific training. Schools having good sports infrastructure and record of creditable sports performances are adopted by SAI under the scheme. This enable the budding sportsperson to study and play in the same school. Presently, 991 trainees (693 boys and 298 girls) are imparted training under NSTC Scheme. In a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today Shri Sonowal said, on 13th March, 2015 SAI Governing Body approved assistance of Rs.3,000/- each for sports kits and competition exposure per annum per trainee (maximum 20 trainees) within 2 months of a trainee joining the Akhara Sub-scheme under NSTC.
