First National Sports University of country in Manipur at a cost of Rs.643.34 crore

75 sports infrastructure projects at a combined sanctioned cost of Rs.520.60 crore approved  for the North-Eastern Region

New Delhi, In an oral reply to a Parliament question on Sports Infrastructure Facilities in North East Region ,  Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports Shri Anurag Singh Thakur said that the Sports infrastructure in the North-eastern region has witnessed a remarkable transformation in the last nine years under the leadership of Prime Minister , Shri Narendra Modi.

With the shift from ‘Look East Policy’ to ‘Act East Policy,’ the Government has given special emphasis and impetus to sports infrastructure in the North-east region, Sh Anurag Thakur said. He also said that the first national Sports University of the country has been allocated to  the northeast state of Manipur at a total sanctioned cost of Rs.643.34 crore.

He further said that 1000 Khelo India centres  will be dedicated to the country this year itself , out of which  227 Khelo India Centres are being established in the North-east.

He also informed that the Ministry has  approved 75 sports infrastructure projects at a combined sanctioned cost of Rs.520.60 crore . 3 National Centres of Excellence, 12 SAI Training Centres and 22 Khelo India accredited Sports Academies are already functional in the North-Eastern States, he said.

Highlighting the contribution of the North-East to sports, the Minister said that sportspersons hailing from the north east have brought laurels to the country especially women sportspersons like Mary Kom , Mirabai Chanu and Lovlina Borgohain. He also hailed the contribution of sportspersons Bhaichung Bhutia  and Shiva Thapa.

Speaking further,  Shri Anurag Thakur said that Government, under the National Sports Development Fund (NSDF), is supporting athletes under Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) for many of their foreign training camps, including costs incurred for travel, and lodging among other expenditures.

He said that under the Khelo India Scheme, services of several champion ex-athletes are being utilised at Khelo India Centres  to promote sports at the grassroots level in the region.

Speaking on the facilities in the state of Nagaland he said that the Central Government is making all possible efforts to support development of sports in the states through Viability Gap Funding and handholding the States wherever necessary.

He also remarked that all essential steps are being taken to support the NE States, and the Government is positively and continuously sanctioning the proposals received from the NE, including Nagaland. Under Khelo India Scheme, the second Khelo India Games were held in Guwahati, he added. .

In his oral reply on the question of Specially abled atheletes he said that under the able leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, there has been a behavioural shift in the way differently abled people are perceived and treated. The change in nomenclature from ‘Viklang’ to ‘Divyang’ or ‘Specially-abled’ was a significant step in the right direction.

He also said that Equality in opportunities, facilities, and treatment are being provided to all athletes, be it Para-athletes, Deaf athletes, or Special athletes. He remarked that we are proud of all our athletes, who are a source of inspiration and pride for the nation, and the Government is leaving no stone unturned in supporting them.