The Sports Authority of India is the premier sports body of the country which will spearhead India's sporting ambitions and develop the environment to promote the sports culture in the country and sporting excellence.
Sports Authority of India is now in the process of formulating and implementing a series of reforms in the Sports Sector which will build on a holistic approach to the development of Sports and Physical Education.
The Youth represent the most dynamic and vibrant segment of the population. India is one of the youngest nations in the World, with about 65% of the population under 35 years of age. The youth in the age group of 15-29 years comprise 27.5% of the population.
India is expected to become the 4th largest economy by 2025, only after the United States, China, and Japan, contributing about 5.5%-6% to the world GDP. While most of these developed countries face the risk of an aging workforce, India is expected to have a very favorable demographic profile. It is estimated that by the year 2020, the population of India would have a median age of 28 years only as against 38 years for the US, 42 years for China and 48 years for Japan. This ‘demographic dividend’ offers a great opportunity.
The Government of India makes the significant investment on programmes for the youth, through various Ministries/ Departments. In addition, the State Governments and a number of other stakeholders are also working to support youth development and to enable productive youth participation in sports and physical activities.
We are here with the different initiatives that Sports Authority of India (SAI) started. Keeping the above mission in Mind the Sports Authority of India with a view of promoting sports at Sub-Junior, Junior, and Senior levels is implementing the under mentioned schemes all over the country.
Sports Promotional Schemes of Sports Authority of India:
1. National Sports Talent Contest Scheme (NSTC) - for Sub-Junior level trainees:
National Sports Talent Contest, (NSTC) Scheme is being implemented to scout sports talent in the age group of 8-14 years from schools and nurture them into future medal hopes by providing scientific training.
At present there are 14 Regular adopted schools, 10 schools adopted to promote indigenous games/martial arts. 32 Akharas adopted being trained? There are a total No. of Trainees 1060 (805 Boys & 255 Girls) trainees under the NSTC Scheme.
Read here for the detailed information about NSTC: National Sports Talent Contest Scheme
2. Army Boys Sports Company Scheme (ABSC) - for Sub-Junior level trainees:
This is a collaborative venture of SAI with the Indian Army, The main objective of the Scheme is to make use of the good infrastructure and disciplined environment of the Army for training boys in the age group of 8-16 years of age, to achieve excellence in sports. After attaining the required age of seventeen and a half years, the trainees are also offered placement in the Army.
At present, there are 18 Centres in India wherein trainees are being trained, in the above-mentioned disciplines. Presently, there are a total of 1049 Boys trainees under the ABSC scheme.
Read here for the detailed information about ABSC: Army Boys Sports Company Scheme
3. SAI Training Centres Scheme (STC) - for Junior level trainees:
Main objectives were to make it possible for the Central Government and State Governments to work together for sports development efforts, through the integration of various Schemes. Correct existing regional imbalances in sports infrastructure in the Country and within a State. Enable SAI to nurture junior sports talent scientifically who had attained excellence at Sub Junior level under NSTC Scheme and induct them into the STCs/Centres of Excellence, for further scientific and in-depth coaching on a long-term basis.
Presently there are 56 STC Centres in the country having a total strength of 5394 trainees (3807 Boys & 1587 Girls).
Read here for the detailed information about STC: SAI Training Centres Scheme (STC)
4. Extension Centre of STC /SAG:
The extension centers of STC/SAG centers Scheme was started to cover schools and colleges for wider coverage in 2005, with a view to developing sports standards in schools and colleges which had the requisite basic infrastructure and had shown good results in sports. Trainees in the age group of 12-18 years are adopted under the Scheme.
At present, there are 70 STC/SAG Extension Centres in the country with a total strength of 1183 trainees (775 Boys & 408 Girls).
Read here for the detailed information about Extension Centre of STC /SAG: Extension Centres of STC/SAG
5. Special Area Games Scheme (SAG) - for Junior level trainees:
Special Area Games (SAG) Scheme aims at scouting natural talent for modern competitive sports and games from inaccessible tribal, rural and coastal areas of the country and nurturing them scientifically for achieving excellence in sports. The Scheme also envisages tapping of talent from indigenous games and martial arts and also from regions/ communities, which are either genetically or geographically advantageous for excellence in a particular sports discipline. The main objective of the Scheme is to train meritorious sportspersons in the age group of 12-18 years, with age being relaxed in exceptional cases.
At present, there are 19 SAG Centres in the country having a total strength of 1676 trainees (961 Boys & 715 Girls).
Read here for the detailed information about Extension Centre of SAG: Special Areas Games Scheme (SAG)
6. Centre of Excellence Scheme (COX) - for Senior level trainees
As a natural corollary to the Schemes for Sub-Junior and Junior, the Scheme of Centres of Excellence was started in 1997. The scheme envisaged induction of sportspersons, who had performed well at Sr. National Competitions, for further advanced scientific training at the Regional Centres of SAI for 330 days in a year. These Centres of Excellence operate as regular coaching camps for the best available talent in India and provide concurrent layers of skilled sportspersons, giving a wider choice of talent and continuity for selection to National Teams and provide alternative second and third options for the National Teams.
At present, there are 15 Centres in the country having a total strength of 556 trainees (288 Boys & 268 Girls).
Read here for the detailed information about Extension Centre of COX: Scheme of Centres of Excellence
7. COME and PLAY Scheme:
The Come & Play Scheme was initiated for optimum utilization of SAI sports facilities in Delhi and across the country, and primarily focussed on encouraging local sportspersons in areas where SAI sports facilities/Centres are operational. While providing youth from local communities and sports enthusiasts with an opportunity to train under SAI coaches.
Read here for the detailed information about Extension Centre of COX: COME and PLAY Scheme
