Chapter - 29 Youth Affairs & Sports

• 12 Nov 2024

India has the world's largest youth population, representing a dynamic and vibrant segment. The Department of Youth Affairs focuses on personality development and nation-building, recognizing adolescents as crucial. 

National Youth Policy 2014 

• Aims to empower youth for India's holistic development. 
• Objectives include: 
  • Creating a productive workforce through education, employment, and entrepreneurship. 
  • Developing a healthy generation through health, sports, and lifestyle. 
  • Promoting social values and community service. 
  • Facilitating participation in governance. 
  • Supporting disadvantaged and marginalised youth for inclusive growth.

Sports Initiatives in India 

• Government Support: 
  • Government provides assistance to sportspersons through training, exposure in international competitions, and scientific and equipment support. 
• India at the Commonwealth Games (held in Birmingham, UK): 
  • In 2022, India won 22 gold, 16 silver, and 23 bronze medals, finishing fourth with 215 athletes across 19 sporting disciplines. 
• Sports Authority of India (SAI): 
  • Established in 1984 to maintain and utilise sports infrastructure, now the nodal agency for sports training and excellence. 
  • Introduced "Come and Play Scheme" to optimise renovated stadiums post-Commonwealth Games 2010. 
• Khelo India: 
  • Central Sector Scheme launched in 2016-17, merging previous schemes to broaden sports base and achieve excellence. 
  • Has twelve components focusing on play field development, community coaching, talent search, and state-level centres, aiming for holistic development, gender equity, and national pride.   
• Target Olympic Podium Scheme:  
  • About: Started by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports in September 2014 to enhance India's performance at Olympics and Paralympics. 
    • Revamped in April 2018 for better management and holistic support for athletes. 
  • High Priority Sports: Emphasis on 'High-Priority' sports like Archery, Badminton, Boxing, Hockey, Shooting, and Wrestling. 
    • Members appointed by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports to ensure representation from these sports. 
  • Mission Olympic Cell: Dedicated body under TOP Scheme to assist selected athletes, chaired by the Director General of Sports Authority of India (SAI). 
  • National Sports Development Fund (NSDF): Established in Nov 1998 to promote sports in India under the Charitable Endowments Act, 1890. 

Asian Games  

• About: 
  • Biggest sports competition in Asia, held every four years, organised by the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA). 
  • Recognized by the International Olympic Committee, symbol - the rising sun with interlocking rings. 
• Background and Inauguration: 
  • Proposed by Guru Dutt Sondhi after WWII for Asian nations' representation. 
  • Inaugural games held in New Delhi in 1951. 
  • Regulated by the Asian Games Federation until 1978, then by the Olympic Council of Asia since 1982. 
• India's Role: 
  • Founder member and host of the first Asian Games in New Delhi in 1951. 
  • Hosted the 9th edition in New Delhi in 1982, featuring mascot Appu, an Indian elephant. 
• 19th Asian Games, Hangzhou, China: 
  • Held from September 23rd to October 8th, 2023, with 40 sports and 61 disciplines across 54 venues. 
  • Includes Olympic qualifier competitions in archery, boxing, hockey, sailing, tennis, etc. 
  • Mascots: Chenchen, Congcong, Lianlaian (robots). 
  • Torch named "Eternal Flame," inspired by Liangzhu Culture. 
  • Features inaugural appearances of Esports and Breaking (Breakdance) as recognized sports. 
• Asian Para Games: 
  • Also known as the Para Asia, a multi-sport event regulated by the Asian Paralympic Committee.  
  • Held every four years after each Asian Games for athletes with physical disabilities. 
  • Recognized by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and is the second largest multi-sport event after the Paralympic Games. 
  • Latest Asian Para Games held in Hangzhou, China.  
  • Ankur Dhama won the gold medal in the 5000 metres (about 3.11 mi) race in the Games.  

Khelo India Youth Games 

• About: 
  • National-level, multi-disciplinary sports competition for school and college students in India. 
  • Held annually as part of the government's Khelo India initiative to promote sports culture and identify grassroots talent. 
  • Previous editions held in Delhi, Pune, Guwahati, Panchkula, and Bhopal. 
• Format: 
  • Two categories: under-17 school students and under-21 college students. 
  • Operates in a team championship format where medals contribute to the overall tally of the respective state or Union Territory. 
  • Maharashtra and Haryana are the only states to win the KIYG title so far. 
• 6th Edition: 
  • Held in Jan 2024, across four cities in Tamil Nadu -  Chennai, Trichy, Madurai, and Coimbatore. 
  • Total 933 medals (278 gold, 278 silver, 377 bronze) across 26 sports. 
  • Debuts squash, while featuring Silambam as a demonstration sport. 
  • Mascot: Veera Mangai, inspired by Indian queen Rani Velu Nachiyar. 
  • Logo incorporates the figure of poet Thiruvalluvar. 

Incentive Schemes for Sportspersons  

• Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award: 
  • Formerly Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, highest sporting honour for outstanding performance over four years. 
  • Cash prize of Rs 25 lakh, medal, and scroll of honour. 
  • Instituted in 1991-1992, with Chess legend Viswanathan Anand as the first recipient. 
• Arjuna Award: 
  • Recognizes outstanding achievement in national sports events. 
  • Awarded for performance over the previous four years, along with leadership and sportsmanship qualities. 
  • Cash prize of Rs 15 lakh, bronze statue of Arjuna, and scroll of honour. 
• Dronacharya Award: 
  • Recognises excellence in sports coaching, enabling sportspersons to excel internationally. 
  • Cash prize of Rs 15 lakh, bronze statue of Dronacharya, and scroll of honour. 
• Dhyan Chand Award: 
  • Honours sports persons contributing to sports post-retirement. 
  • Includes Dhyan Chand statuette, cash prize of Rs 10 lakh, certificate, and ceremonial dress. 
• Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Trophy: 
  • Recognises university-level sports performances. 
  • Awarded to the top-performing university in inter-university tournaments. 
• Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar: 
  • Acknowledges corporate entities, sports control boards, NGOs for promoting sports development. 
  • No cash prize, includes a citation and trophy. 
• Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Awards: 
  • Recognises achievements in adventure sports to encourage youth participation and development. 
  • Encourages endurance, risk-taking, teamwork, and quick reflexes. 
  • Provides incentive for exposure to adventure activities. 
• Special Awards to winners in International Sports Events and their Coaches: 
  • Introduced in 1986 to encourage outstanding sports achievements and attract youth to sports careers.