Speed Post News Network
New Delhi : Sports authorities in rural areas are entities under the State/UT governments. ‘Sports’ being a State subject promotion of sports including promoting the talents of sportspersons of village level and to encourage them for national and international events, is the responsibility of State / Union Territory (UT) Governments. The Central Government supplements efforts of the State/UT Governments by providing assistance through National Sports Federations, training in Sports Authority of India (SAI) Centres and support under Khelo India Scheme.
The Khelo India Scheme, through its vertical of “Talent Search and Development”, envisages long term development of sporting talents identified from all across the country including districts and rural areas by supporting them with a financial assistance of about Rs 5 lakh per annum for a period of eight years. A total number of 2,437 sporting talents have been identified for support under the Khelo India Scheme. This information was given by the Minister of State (I/C) Kiren Rijiju in written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha on July 11, 2019, according to a PIB release.