Promotion of Sports amongst Disabled The Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Youth Affairs & Sports, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal has said that Under the Scheme of Sports and Games for the Disabled, grants are sanctioned to Special Olympic Bharat (SOB), the Nodal Agency of the Department of Sports for organizing coaches training and sports competitions in selected sports disciplines on District, State and National basis to promote the potential of disabled persons in sports and games. Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Department of Social Justice has informed that in the 12th Five Year Plan document, a Scheme for establishment of Centre for Disability Sports is included for which Rs.20 crore is earmarked. Necessary action is being initiated to engage a Consultant for preparation of a Detailed Project Report for establishment of the Disability Centres at Zirakpur (Punjab) and Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh). In a written reply in the Lok Sabha today the Minister said, Sports competitions were conducted by SOB in 23 districts of Andhra Pradesh for 5338 disabled persons during the last four years. Four State level Games for 1382 disabled sportspersons were also conducted by them in Andhra Pradesh during the same period under the Scheme of Sports and Games for the Disabled. No special training facilities have been created to cater to the needs of disabled sportspersons of the State of Andhra Pradesh. Schemes of Sports Authority of India and Department of Sports cover all categories of sportspersons including disabled sportsperson. Also, sports is a State subject. It is primarily the responsibility of the State Governments to take steps for promotion of sports including creation of special training facilities. Government of India only supplements the efforts of the State Governments
