Promotion of Hockey

The Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Youth Affairs & Sports Shri Jitendra Singh has said that as per the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009, every school is required to provide playgrounds, sports equipments as well as part time instructors for physical education. However, there is no proposal for including hockey or any other specific sports discipline in the curriculum of schools and colleges.

In a written reply in the Lok Sabha today Shri Singh said, Hockey is a high priority sports for the Government. International standard training facilities are being provided and build - up competitions are being organized for the preparation of the Indian Hockey Team. Further, the Government provides all round support for the preparation of national men and women hockey teams and necessary facilities including training, foreign exposures for training and competitions, foreign and Indian coaches and other support personnel. The Government has spent Rs. 18.09 crores on hockey for the year 2011-12 for various aspects of the game including foreign exposure, foreign coaches, boarding and lodging, preparation for Olympics, 2012, etc.

The amount spent by the Government during the last three years and the current year for development of hockey, including imparting training and participation in international sports events under the Scheme of Assistance to NSFs is given below:

(Rs. in crore)

S. No.	Year	Financial Assistance Provided
1.	2009-10	Rs. 7.63
2.	2010-11	Rs. 4.36
3.	2011-12	Rs. 18.09
4.	2012-13	Rs. 4.29*

* UPTO FEB, 2013 (Provisional)