Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports promotes rural and indigenous/tribal games through ‘Khelo India – National Programme for Development of Sports’ Scheme

Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports runs a Central Sector Scheme, namely, ‘Khelo India – National Programme for Development of Sports’ Scheme since 2016, wherein one of the sub-components, namely, ‘Promotion of rural and indigenous/tribal games’, is dedicated to development of rural and indigenous/tribal games in the country.

Under the ‘Promotion of rural and indigenous/tribal games’ sub- component of the Khelo India Scheme, Mallakhamb, Kalaripayyattu, Gatka, Thang-Ta, Silambam and Yogasan have been receiving support for infrastructure development, equipment support, appointment of coaches, training of coaches and scholarships to athletes.

Under the ‘Khelo India Centres’ component of the Khelo India Scheme, as a part of Government’s vision to strengthen the sports ecosystem in the country at the grassroots level, a low-cost, effective sports training mechanism has been developed. State/ UT Governments can engage former sportspersons as coaches and mentors for youngsters. Further, Sports Authority of India (SAI), an autonomous body under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, provides opportunity to former sportspersons to be employed as coaches in various sports disciplines. The reply was given by Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Shri Anurag Singh Thakur in Lok Sabha today.