National Sports in India

National Sports Policy

National Sports Policy, 2001 envisages mainly broad basing and promotion of excellence in sports. The salient features of this policy are :

1. broad basing of sports and achievement of excellence
2. Upgradation and development of infrastructure;
3. Support to national sports federations and other appropriate bodies;
4. Strengthening of scientific and coaching support to sports;
5. Incentives to promote sports
6. enhanced participation of women, scheduled tribes and rural youth;
7. involvement of the corporate sector in sports promotion, and
8. promotion of sports mindedness among the public at large.

Khelo India

• The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports was implementing a Centrally Sponsored Scheme called the Panchayat Yuva Krida Aur Khel Abhiyan (PYKKA) from 2008-09 to 2013-14.
• The scheme aimed at the creation of basic sports infrastructure at village and Block Panchayat Levels through the development and maintenance of playgrounds and mass participation in sports through the conduct of annual sports competitions.
• separately, an Urban Sports Infrastructure Scheme (USIS) was also introduced in 2010-11 and continued up to 2015-16.
• Khelo India is the new umbrella scheme after the merger of ongoing schemes like Rajiv Gandhi Khel Abhiyan (RGKA), Urban Sports Infrastructure Scheme (USIS) and the National Sports Talent Search System programme (NSTSSP).

Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award

• The scheme was launched in the year 1991-92 with the objective of honouring sports persons to enhance their general status and to give them greater dignity and a place of honour in society.
• Under this scheme, an amount of amount ₹ 25 lakh (earlier the award money was ₹ 7.5 lakh) is given as an award for the most spectacular and outstanding performance by a sports person over a period of four years immediately preceding the year in which the award is to be given.

Arjuna Award

• The award was instituted in1961. To be eligible for the award, a sports person should have not only good performance consistently for the previous four years at the international level with excellence for the year for which the award is recommended, but should have also shown qualities of leadership, and sportsmanship and a sense of discipline.
• The awardee is given a statuette, a certificate, a ceremonial dress and a cash award of ₹ 15 lakh (earlier ₹ 5 lakh.) Not more than fifteen awards are given every year.

Dhyan Chand Award for Lifetime Achievement

• This award was instituted in 2002. This award is given to honour those sports persons who have contributed to sports by their performance and continue to contribute to the promotion of sports even after their retirement from active sporting careers.
• The awardee is given a statuette, a certificate, a ceremonial dress and a cash award of ₹ 10 lakh (earlier ₹ 5 lakh.) No more than three awards are given every year.

Dronacharya Award

• This award was instituted in 1985 to honour eminent coaches who have successfully trained sportspersons or teams and enabled them to achieve outstanding results in international competitions.
• The awardee is given a statuette of Guru Dronacharya, a certificate, a ceremonial dress and a cash award of ₹ 10 lakh (earlier ₹ 5 lakh.) No more than five awards are given every year.

Lakshmibai National Institute of Physical Education

• The institute was established initially as a college on August 17, 1957, the centenary year of the first war of Independence. The University is located at Gwalior, (MP).
• In recognition of the services rendered in the field of physical education and sports by the Institute, it was upgraded to a “Deemed University” in 1995. the LNIPE is fully funded by the Government of India.
• The Institute attracts students from abroad also. A North East Campus of LNIPE has been established at Guwahati (Assam) and is functioning since 2010-11.