Scheme to develop hidden talents of boys/girls
The Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Youth Affairs & Sports, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal has said that the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports had launched the National Sports Talent Search Scheme (NSTSS) in the year 2015 which aimed at (i) identifying sporting talent among students in the age group of 8-12 years and (ii) nurturing of the Sporting Potential /talent to make them excel at the National and International Sports Competitions.
The scheme and the guidelines for its implementation were circulated to all the States/ Union Territories on 20.02.2015. However, in the meantime, the Government of India decided to restructure and merge centrally sponsored schemesinto one Central Sector Scheme to address talent search, grooming of talent and provision of infrastructure.
In addition, the Sports Authority of India (SAI), an autonomous body under the aegis of the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, is implementing the following Sports Promotional Schemes for identification and grooming of sportspersons by providing equipment and facilities:
- National Sports Talent Contest (NSTC)
- Army Boys Sports Company (ABSC)
- SAI Training Centre (STC)
- Special Area Games (SAG)
- Extension Centres of STC/SAG
- Centre of Excellence (CoX)
- National Sports Academy (NSA)
Approximately 3700 boys and 1700 girls are undergoing training under the abovementioned Schemes at different SAI training centres. The trainees admitted under the above schemes, besides scientific coaching from experienced coaches, are also provided facilities as per norms of the scheme like free boarding and lodging, sports kit, educational expenses, sports equipment, competition exposure, insurance, medical expenses stipend etc.
In a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today the Minister said, however, the SAI is running National sports academies in different parts of the country. Such academies are also meant for sub-junior and junior levels. Details of the National Sports Academies run by the SAI are given below:
Details of National Sports Academies run by the Sports Authority of India
| S. | Sports Discipline | Location |
| No. | ||
| 1. | Cycling Academy | Cycling Velodrome of Indira Gandhi |
| Stadium, New Delhi | ||
| 2. | Swimming Academy | Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Swimming |
| Pool Complex, Talkatora Stadium, New | ||
| Delhi | ||
| 3. | Athletics Academy | Lakshmibai National College of Physical |
| (Sprints and Jumps) | Education, Thiruvananthapuram | |
| 4. | Athletics Academy | Sports Authority of India (SAI) Regional |
| (Middle Distance) | Centre, Bhopal | |
| 5. | Golf Academy | Thiruvananthapuram |
Source Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports 02-March, 2016