With an aim of improving the country's prospects in sports, government will undertake a slew of schemes to identify talent in schools, colleges and universities and prepare them for winning medals in international events, Rajya Sabha was informed today.
Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Sarbananda Sonowal said the government is planning to implement a National Sports Talent Search Scheme (NSTSS) from next financial year, set up National Sports Academies and start Sports Science courses in select universities and medical colleges to address the isssue.
He agreed to a suggestion by NCP leader Praful Patel, who said that National Sports Federation (NSF) should be engaged in close cordination to find sports talents for the country.
"I support his suggestion. In near future, the National Sports Federation will participate in decision-making," Sonowal said while replying to questions.
He said that NSTSS scheme, formulated and issued in February this year, will be implemented from next financial year and is proposed to identify sporting talent among students between 8 to 12 years, including from rural areas, and further nurture them to enable them to participate in national and international sports events and win medals and bring laurels to the country.
"The government of India proposes to set up NSA for junior and senior athletes at various places in the country to nurture sporting talent spotted through various avenues. However, the scheme is in conceptual stage and hence it would not be possible to furnish further details at this juncture," the minister said.
Responding to questions about fitness problems among Indian sportspersons being a reason for their inability to win medals for the country, Sonowal said the government has decided to start Sports Science courses in some universities and some medical colleges so that scientific knowledge could be spread and used to develop the strength and enduranace of the sportspersons.
He also said the goverment is trying to develop sports complexes in all blocks of the country in next five years under the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Abhiyan (RGKA) scheme, which was earlier called Panchayat Yuva Krida Aur Khel Abhiyan (PYKKA).
The minister urged all MPs to chip in with their cooperation in the endeavour saying it requires their "involvement".
