INDIA TO PARTICIPATE IN 10 DISCIPLINES IN THE FORTHCOMING COMMONWEALTH GAMES.

PROPOSALS UNDER CONSIDERATION FOR BIDDING THE COMMONWEALTH GAMES 2010 AND OLYMPIC GAMES.

FRESH DATES TO HOLD FIRST AFRO-ASIAN GAMES IN NEW DELHI FROM OCTOBER 24 TO NOVEMBER1, 2003 SENT TO CABINET FOR APPROVAL.

MINISTER OF YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS SUSHRI UMA BHARTI EMPHASISES THE NEED FOR SELF-FINANCING OF GAMES AND SPORTS ACTIVITIES WITH THE PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION.

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India will participate in 10 disciplines in the forthcoming Commonwealth Games and in about 19-20 disciplines in Asian Games. The Commonwealth Games are being held from 25^th July to 4^th August 2002 at Manchester, England and Asian Games will be held from 29^th September to 14^th October 2002 at Pusan, Korea. The disciplines for Commonwealth Games include Athletics, Boxing, Judo, Table Tennis and Wrestling and for Asian Games, these include Athletics, Archery, Badminton, Billiards and Snooker, Kabbadi and Rowing.

2. Addressing the Parliamentary Consultative Committee meeting yesterday the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Sushri Uma Bharti informed the Members that the proposals are under consideration for bidding for the Commonwealth Games 2010 and the Olympic Games 2012 . An expert group has been formed to look into the details.

She also informed that the Indian Olympic Association has given fresh dates for holding the first Afro-Asian Games in New Delhi from 24^th October to November 1, 2003. These dates have been sent to the Cabinet for approval. The Afro-Asian Games were scheduled last year in November but were postponed due to security situation after September 11 terrorist attack in the United States of America.

3. For Commonwealth Games and Asian Games, the Ministry in consultation with the Indian Olympic Association has fixed the criteria of 4^th place performance of last Commonwealth Games held in 1998 and Commonwealth Championships held in 2001 and 2002 whichever is higher. In non-measurable disciplines like boxing, etc. the performance in international competitions during 2001 and 2002 will be taken into account.

Sushri Uma Bharti said the National Teams identified for these games are undergoing preparation since last year. The coaching camps are being held in National Institute of Sports, Patiala and Centres of Sports Authority of India at Bangalore, Kolkata and Gandhinagar and at different stadias in Delhi.

To monitor the preparation of sports persons/teams, a National Monitoring Committee under the Chairmanship of the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports has been formed. Discipline-wise Monitoring Committees have also been constituted under the Chairmanship of Director General, Sports Authority of India.

She said Brig. K.P. Singh Deo, President Rowing Federation of India and Member of Parliament has been nominated Chairman of "Preparations Committee for Commonwealth Games and Asian Games 2002".

4. The Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports said that 42 foreign coaches have been deployed this time for the training of sports persons as against 18 in 1998 Commonwealth and Asian Games. They have also been given sufficient foreign exposure to develop their confidence in an atmosphere of international competition. She said sophisticated sports equipment have been imported for their proper training for preparation of Commonwealth and Asian Games. She said the National Sports Federations have also been given financial assistance for procurement of equipment both indigenous and imported.

Expressing her satisfaction over the training, the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports said that the Indian Olympic Association and the National Sports Federations after review of the preparation, have said that the medal tally in the forthcoming games would be better than the last Commonwealth and Asian Games held in 1998. In the 1998 Commonwealth Games India participated in 6 disciplines and won 7 Gold, 10 Silver and 8 Bronze medals. In the last Asian Games held in Bangkok in 1998, India participated in 23 disciplines and won 35 medals consisting of 7 Gold, 11 Silver and 17 Bronze medals.

5. A detailed presentation was made by Director General, Sports Authority of India on the preparation of the Indian teams for Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games 2002. The presentation included categories of events in which India is participating, coaches/experts including foreign deployed for training, coach camps held during the last one year and international competition exposure given to the sports persons. The presentation was appreciated by the Members.

6. The Minister emphasised the need to go for self-financing in organising sports activities and games with the participation of private sector. She said a Memorandum of Understanding has been signed by Sports Authority of India (SAI) and Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) in April this year to promote sports and achieve excellence at the international level. Efforts are underway to workout a similar agreement with Federation of Indian Industry she added.

7. The Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Sushri Uma Bharti accepted the suggestion of Members to hold Parliamentary Consultative Committee meetings at various training camps so that they can see the preparation on ground. She said this will also raise the moral of our players and motivate them for better performance.

8. The Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Shri Pon. Radhakrishnan, S/Shri Vanlal Zawma, Samik Lahiri, Prof.I.G. Sanadi, C.Apok Jamir, MPs participated in the meeting.