RAIIV GANDHI KHEL ABHIYAN (RGKA)
- Rajiv Gandhi Khel Abhiyan (RGKA) a centrally sponsored scheme was launched in 2014 in place of Panchayat Yuva Krida aur Khel Abhiyan (PYKKA).
- The new scheme will involve an estimated outlay of about Rs. 9000 crore.
- The key objectives of the Scheme are promotion of sports as a way of life among the youth, increased access to sports facilities throughout the country, conduct of sports competitions across to identify sports talent.
- Under the Scheme, Integrated Sports Complexes will be constructed in every rural block panchayat of the country.
- Each Sports Complex will cost Rs. 1.765 crore and have 11 outdoor and 5 indoor games with flexibility to choose 3 local games within the limit of 16 games.
- Under the Scheme, assistance will be provided for Sports equipment and a Youth Resource Centre.
PROMOTION OF URBAN SPORTS INFRASTRUCTURE
- The Government has introduced a scheme titled ‘Scheme of Assistance for the creation of Urban Sports Infrastructure’ on pilot basis in 2010-11 for creating/upgrading sports facilities and for training of coaches.
- Further, financial assistance is provided under the scheme to the State Governments and the National Playing Field Association for protection and preservation of playing spaces across the country.
- Under the Scheme, State Governments, local civic bodies, schools, colleges, universities and sports control boards are eligible for assistance.
PROMOTION OF EXCELLENCE IN SPORTS THROUGH INSTITUTIONS
- The Sports Authority of India (SAI) was established by the Government of India in year 1984 as a registered society primarily to ensure effective maintenance and optimum utilization of the sports infrastructure that was built in Delhi during ASIAD, 1982.
- It is now the nodal agency in the country for broadbasing sports and for training of sportspersons to achieve excellence in national and international sports.
- The Society for National Institute of Physical Education & Sports (SNIPES) was merged with SAI with effect from in 1987.
- Subsequently Netaji Subhash National Institute of Sports (NSNIS), Patiala and its allied centres at Bengaluru, Kolkata and Gandhinagar and Lakshmibai National College of Physical Education at Thiruvananthapuram came under Sports Authority of India (SAI).
- It has now eight regional centers at Bengaluru, Gandhingar, Kolkata, Sonepat, Bhopal, Imphal, Chandigarh and Lucknow.
- SAI also operates a High Altitude Training Centre (HATC) at Shillaroo (HP).