Under the revamped Khelo India proposal, there is an exclusive component called “Promotion of Rural, Indigenous and Tribal Games” for promotion and development of traditional sports.
Sports Authority of India (SAI) also promotes Indigenous Games and Martial Arts (IGMA) in 09 disciplines under its National Sports Talent Contest (NSTC) scheme where talented children are selected in the age group of 8-14 years in 10 SAI adopted Centres.
In order to revive such games and promote them among the masses, SAI has adopted the following indigenous games disciplines for their promotion:
a) Kalaripayatu, Kerala
b) Silambam, Tamilnadu
c) Kabaddi, Telengana
d) Archery, Jharkhand
e) Malkhamb, Maharashtra
f) Mukna, Imphal
g) Thangta, Imphal
h) Khomlainai, Assam
i) Gatka, Punjab
During the year 2016-17, 159 Athletes (78 boys and 81 girls) were trained in the above traditional sports at 10 SAI adopted Centres.
This information is based on the reply given by Minister of State (I/C) for Youth Affairs and Sports Vijay Goel in the Rajya Sabha.
