Industrial
Promotion Policies - Central Government
National Sports
Policy 2001
Activities relating to Sports and
Physical Education are essential components of human
resource development, helping to promote good health,
comradeship and a spirit of friendly competition, which,
in turn, has positive impact on the overall development
of personality of the youth. Excellence in sports enhances
the sense of achievement, national pride and patriotism.
Sports also provide beneficial recreation, improve productivity
and foster social harmony and discipline.
2. A Resolution on the National Sports Policy was laid
in both Houses of Parliament in August, 1984. The National
Sports Policy, 1984 was formulated with the objective
of raising the standard of Sports in the country. The
National Education Policy, 1986 also incorporated the
objectives of the Policy in so far as the Education
Sector was concerned. The National Sports Policy, 1984
provided inter-alia, that the progress made in its implementation
would be reviewed every five years to determine the
further course of action, as may be necessary, following
such review.
3. Over the years, it has transpired that even as the
National Sports Policy, 1984 encompasses various facets
in respect of encouraging sports in the country, the
implementation of the same is not complete and leaves
much to be desired. The goals and objectives laid down
in the Policy are yet to be substantially realized.
A need has, therefore, been felt to reformulate the
National Sports Policy in more concrete terms, spelling
out the specific measures required to be taken by the
various agencies, which are involved, in various ways,
in promoting sports in the country.
4. In terms of the National Sports Policy, 2001, the
Central Government, in conjunction with the State Government,
the Olympic Association (IOA) and the National Sports
Federation will concertedly pursue the twin objectives
of "Broad-basing" of Sports and "Achieving
Excellence in Sports at the National and International
levels". Sports activities, in which the country
has potential strength and competitive advantage, need
to be vigorously promoted. Towards this end, Sports
and Physical Education would be integrated more effectively
with the Education Curriculum.
5. While the broad-basing of Sports will, primarily
remain a responsibility of the State Governments, the
Union Government will actively supplement their efforts
in this direction and for taping the latent talent,
including in the rural and tribal areas. The Union Government
and the Sports Authority of India (SAI), in association
with the Indian Olympic Association and the National
Sports Federations, will focus specific attention on
the objective of achieving excellence at the National
and International levels.
6. The question of inclusion of "Sports"
in the Concurrent List of the Constitution of India
and introduction of appropriate legislation for guiding
all matters involving national and inter-state jurisdiction,
will be pursued.
Broadbasing of Sports
7. Considering the key role of sports in national life
and for inculcating national pride in the younger generation,
the objective of broad basing, that is, universalisation
or mass participation in Sports assumes special significance.
It is imperative to ensure that the educational institutions,
Schools and Colleges in both rural and urban areas;
the Panchayati Raj Institutions, Local Bodies, the government
machinery, the Sports Associations and Industrial Undertakings,
as also the various Youth and Sports Clubs, including
those of the Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS) throughout
the country are, and remain, fully associated with this
Programme. Efforts will be made to promote and encourage
women's participation in sports. The Union and State
Governments, as well as the Sports Federations/Associations
will endeavour to promote a "club culture"
for the speedier development of Sports in the country.
8. In the National Sports Policy, 2001, high priority
will be accorded to the development of Sports in the
rural areas to harness the available talent and potential.
In this context, the Village Panchayats/Gaon Sabhas
as well as rural Youth and Sports clubs will be mobilized
to facilitate development of the requisite infrastructure
and for the identification of talent through an appropriate
competition structure in the rural areas as also in
the disadvantaged and remote parts of the country which
appear to merit special consideration under various
schemes including for the North East. Efforts will also
be made for tapping such potential as swimming in coastal
areas and Archery in tribal areas. The available talent
will be nourished and actively supported. Geographically
disadvantaged Regions will be extended additional support
for the promotion of Sports. There has been a strong
tradition of Indigenous and traditional games in practically
all parts of the country through ages. Indigenous games
will be promoted through schemes related to rural sports.
Integration With Education
9. The integration of Sports and Physical Education
with the Educational Curriculum, making it a compulsory
subject of learning up to the Secondary School level
and incorporating the same in the evaluation system
of the student, will be actively pursued. A National
Fitness Programme would be introduced in all Schools
in the country, steps initiated to augment the availability
of infrastructure, including play fields/ sports equipment
and action taken to provide Physical Education Teachers
in educational institutions through, inter-alia, the
training of selected teachers in these disciplines.
Specialized Sports Schools may also be set up. An appropriate
Inter-school and Inter- College/University competition
structure would be introduced at the National, State
and District levels.
10. The availability of adequate sports facilities
throughout the country is basic to the development and
broad-basing of Sports. In addition to the Union and
State Governments, the sustained involvement of other
agencies, including the Panchayati Raj Institutions,
Local Bodies, Educational Institutions, Sports Federations/Associations.
Clubs and Industrial Undertakings will be enlisted in
the creation, utilization and proper maintenance of
the Sports infrastructure. While existing play fields
and stadia, both in rural and urban areas, will be maintained
for sports purposes, the introduction of suitable legislation
may be considered for providing open areas to promote
sports activities. Steps would be taken to evolve low
cost functional and environment-friendly designs in
this regard, so that maximum benefits could be derived
through relatively low levels of investment. Efforts
will also be made to optimally utilize the available
infrastructure and manpower and Special Coaching Cams
organised, during the vacations, to provide intensive
training to talented sports persons, even as they pursue
their academic work.
Excellence in Sports
11. The Union Government would focus attention on achieving
Excellence in Sports at the National and International
levels. Various sports disciplines will be prioritized
on the basis of proven potential, popularity and international
performance. Particular emphasis will be placed on the
development of such priority disciplines and the prioritization
reviewed, from time to time. The IOA and the State Governments
would also accord higher priority to such disciplines.
In planning the development of various disciplines,
the genetic and geographical variations within the country
would be taken into account so that in areas of potential,
in particular disciplines, timely steps may be taken
to harness the existing and emerging talent. Centers
of excellence will be set up to identify and train outstanding
sportspersons including sports academies where young
and talented sports persons will be groomed to achieve
higher levels of performance in the international sports
arena.
National Sports Federations (Nsfs)
12. It is recognized that the management and development
of Sports are the function of the Indian Olympic Association
and the National Sports Federations, which are Autonomous
Bodies and who, in turn, have affiliated State level
and District level Associations. The Government and
other concerned agencies and the Federations/Associations
have, therefore, to work together harmoniously and in
a coordinated manner to fulfil the objectives of the
National Sports Policy, 2001. At the same time, the
Indian Olympic Association and the various Sports Federations/Associations
will need to demonstrate orientation towards the achievement
of results and ensure tangible progress in the field
of Sports, keeping which in view, model bye-laws/organizational
structures may be formulated for the NSFs, in consultation
with them, and with due regard to the Olympic Charter,
so as to make the functioning of the Federations/Association
transparent, professional and accountable.
13. Acknowledging the importance of National Championships
for developing competitive spirit and for talent-scouting,
it would be incumbent on the Federations/Associations
to hold Annual Championships in various disciplines
in all categories, viz, Seniors, Juniors and Sub-Juniors
(for both Men & Women) at the District, State and
National levels. Each National Federation would draw
up the Annual National Calendar of these events sufficiently
in advance, every year, which would be compiled and
published by the IOA. Greater emphasis will be placed
on promoting the development of Sports amongst the juniors
and sub-juniors and the more talented amongst them identified
for Special Training and Support.
14. Effective participation in International Events,
especially the Olympics, Asian and Commonwealth Games,
is a matter of National Prestige. Participation in these
Events has, so far, largely been restricted to those
disciplines in which creditable performance is anticipated.
The contingents to represent the country in such events
need be chosen in due time, in the light of performance
and promise, in National Championships and elsewhere.
Long Term Development Plans (LTDPs) will be prepared
for each Sports discipline, incorporating details of
standard of performance, targeted levels of performance,
participation in competitions at national and international
levels, sports exchanges, scientific support and the
holding of international competitions in the country.
The implementation of the LTDPs will be reviewed periodically
and the same would be continued, as a Rolling Plan year
after year. The release of Government assistance would
be considered on the basis of performance relating to
the LTDP in question.
Scientific Back-Up to Sports Persons
15. The significance of scientific-back up to Sports
stands well established. Accordingly, action will be
initiated to strengthen this area, in accordance with
international standards. Experts would be associated
with each Sports Discipline or Groups of Sports Disciplines,
on a continuing basis, to provide the requisite support
in terms of nutrition, psychology, medicine, pharmacology,
physiology, bio-mechanics and anthrapometry as well
as other branches of Sports Sciences. Suitable mechanisms
would be introduced to achieve co-ordination between
the laboratory and the field, that is, between the Coaches
and the Sports Scientists, and particular care taken
to ensure nutritional support to talented sports persons
and to sustain their mental health and competitive spirit.
16. Appropriate research and development measures will
also be initiated for the promotion of sports and to
impart special skills to promising sports persons so
that they are enabled to give of their best in international
and other prestigious competitions. The SAI and other
public and private organisations will be involved in
such research and development programmes. The SAI and
the NSFs would take coordinated steps towards the modernisation
of the infrastructure required for the training of sports
persons and to provide them with scientific support
for achieving Excellence in Sports.
Sprots Equipment
17. Suitable measures will be initiated to ensure access
to sports equipment of high quality. While the approach
to import of equipment would, no doubt, bear the long
term interests of the indigenous sports goods manufacturers
in mind, the import of raw materials as well as finished
sports goods of international quality should be permissible
under Open General License. Similarly, Sports Federations/Associations
and other recognized Organization involved in Sports
Promotion, as also eminent Sports persons, may be extended
exemption of customs Duty. The matter relating to exemption
from sales Tax for Sports Goods and of free movement
of raw materials and finished sports goods in the country
would be pursued with the State Governments.
Training and Development of Coaches,
Sports Scientists Judges, Referees and Umpires
18. The Policy recognizes that the standards of coaching
and scientific back up in the country and those pertaining
to umpires, judges and referees needs to be upgraded.
Concerted steps will be taken to train Coaches, Sports
Scientists, Judges, Referees and Umpires, in line with
international standards. In addition to developing such
expertise on an institutional basis, within the country,
the deputation of promising persons to Training Courses,
Conferences. Seminars, workshops and Tournaments abroad,
so that they remain abreast of relevant developments
in their fields, will be encouraged. Coaches would receive
rigorous training for up-gradation of skills and may
also be deputed overseas for the purpose.
19. Incentives provide recognition and financial security
to distinguished sports persons, during and after their
sporting careers, and also motivate the youth in the
serious pursuit of sports activities. Adequate assistance
will be extended for Insurance Cover and Medical Treatment
in the event of such eventuality/requirement. Job reservation
for sportspersons as per the prescribed categories will
continue.
20. Social Recognition, the Conferment of Awards and
Honours at the National, State, and District levels,
incentives in the form of Cash Awards and Avenues of
Employment will be important elements of the National
Sports Policy, 2001. Alongside sports persons, suitable
incentives will be provided to Coaches, Judges and Referees
for developing skills and enriching their experience.
Sports and Tourism
21. The Policy recognizes the inter-dependence and
inter-relationship between the Sports and Tourism sectors,
the integrated development of which is capable of generating
very substantial revenues and ensuring a high volume
of tourist traffic from within the country and from
overseas, while simultaneously promoting a sports &
fitness culture in the country. Adventure Sports, in
particular, have great potential for the promotion of
tourism. Towards this end, the concerned Ministries/Departments
of the Union and State Governments, that is those handling
Sports, Tourism and related subjects, will strive to
draw up joint/unified Plans and Proposals for various
parts of the country, with due reference to the possibilities
in the North Eastern Region, and to execute these programmes
in a systematic and coordinated manner.
Resource Mobilization for Sports
22. Insufficiency of financial resources has been a
major constraint in promoting sports in India. While
the Union and State Governments, would need to arrange
higher budgetary provisions, special efforts are equally
called for to mobilize corporate funds for the development
of Sports in the country. Accordingly, corporate Houses
would be approached and encouraged to adopt and support
particular disciplines (as well as sports persons) in
the longer term; for this purpose. Tripartite Agreements
between the Government and the concerned Sports Federations
and the Corporate Houses may be entered into for different
Sports Disciplines. In the context of the Policy of
Economic Liberalization, the Private/Corporate sectors
would be more closely involved with the promotion of
Sports, in general, and to build and maintain Sports
infrastructure, in particular, with requisite emphasis
on the latest technologies. A suitable package of incentives
may also be evolved for this purpose. Eminent sports
persons of established merit will be encouraged to set
up and manage Sports Academies.
23. It may be recalled that a National Sports Development
Fund has been created with initial contribution of the
Union Government. All contributions (from within and
outside the country) to this Fund have been extended
100% exemption from Income Tax. The mobilization of
resources for the Fund will be strenuously pursued and
the feasibility of exempting the incomes of Sports Federations
and Sports persons (from sources other than employers)
from payment of Income Tax explored.
24. The revenues generated by the sale of Broadcasting
Television Rights of Sports Events will be shared between
the concerned Sports Federation/Association and the
Broadcasting/Telecasting agency, public or private,
on mutually agreed terms, through appropriate revenue
sharing arrangements.
Mass Media
25. The role of Mass Media is central to the popularization
of Sports amongst the people at large. The Electronic
Media, including the National Broadcasters, the Private
Channels and the Print Media would be suitable mobilized
for strengthening a Sports Culture in the country.
Globalisation
26. As a resurgent India confidently enters the New
Millenium, Sports (and related activities) will be increasingly
utilized as a medium for promoting cooperation and friendship
in the Region, as also globally. Sports Exchange Programmes
will be pursued with all friendly Nations, with emphasis,
on the one hand on Advance Training for Sports persons
and Coaches, Scientific Support, the latest Research
Aids and Development of Infrastructure, and earning
laurels for the country, in Sports and Games, on the
other.
27. The National Sports Policy, 2001 would be reviewed,
periodically, in order, inter-alia, to incorporate changes/modifications
which may be necessitated by technological and other
advancements in the field of Sports.
