Promotion of Indigenous Sports Across India
Promotion of Indigenous Sports Across India
The ‘Promotion of rural and indigenous/tribal games’ sub-component of the Khelo India Scheme, is specifically dedicated to the development and promotion of rural and indigenous/tribal games in the country. Indigenous/traditional games of Mallakhamb, Kalaripayattu, Gatka, Thang-Ta, Yogasana and Silambam have been identified for promotion under this component and these games are part of annually organised Khelo India University/ Youth Games. Grants are sanctioned for infrastructure development, equipment support, appointment of coaches, training of coaches and scholarships to the identified athletes under this Component.
‘Sports’ being a State subject, the responsibility of development of sports, including promotion of traditional sports and holding their competitions, rests primarily with the respective State/Union Territory Governments. The Union Government only supplements their efforts by bridging critical gaps.
Various initiatives taken by this Ministry to further reach out to sports talent participating in indigenous sports and games are as follows:
Moreover, financial support is also being provided to conduct various tournaments at National level under the scheme of Assistance to National Sports Federations to improve competitiveness. Further, some National Sports Federations viz. Kho Kho, Kabaddi and Yogasana, which have been recognised by the Government to promote the concerned indigenous/traditional sports, are also provided assistance for conducting national coaching camp, participation of Indian players in international events and for organizing international tournaments in India.
Details of athletes of traditional games under Khelo India Scheme
S.N.
Discipline
No. of Athletes
Boys
Girls
1.
Mallakhamb
2417
1301
1116
2.
Kalaripayattu
1100
650
450
3.
Thang-Ta
2700
1500
1200
4.
Gatka
3430
1990
1440
Training Centres identified for Indigenous Games
S.N.
Indigenous Game
Training Centre
1.
Mallakhamb
Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh Bharatpur, Rajasthan Hyderabad, Telangana Delhi
Goa
2.
Kalaripayattu
Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
Aranmula, Kerala
3.
Thang Ta
Imphal, Manipur
Chachar, Assam Dharmanagar, Tripura
4.
Gatka
Chandigarh Jalandhar, Punjab
Kurukshetra, Haryana
The Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya stated this in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.