Promotion of e-Sports

The Minister of State (I/C) for Youth Affairs and Sports Shri Vijay Goel said in the Lok Sabha that with rapid expansion of internet connectivity, including use of smart phones, a number of sports related applications have been developed generating interest in e-sports in the country. Department of Sports has, however, not specifically recognized e-sports. Moreover, physical sports and e-sports are two distinct activities. While the former is connected with the spirit of Olympism and promotes physical fitness and well being, the latter is largely a source of entertainment. Government in the Department of Sports has not proposed to recognize and promote e-sports.

In the written reply he said, Sports Authority of India (SAI) has developed an on-line project Trainee Information Management System (TIMS) to bring the transparency and accountability in identification / selection of talent, their induction, weeding out and retention of the trainees as per the approved scheme criteria including their performance evaluation over a period of time. This also allows storing of details of the trainees in the master data base for future references and planning. The TIMS being introduced by SAI will also be linked with the Youth Portal of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS) to address the larger issues concerning Sports promotion. Separately, SAI is also developing a Sports Talent Hunt Portal to give gifted and talented young athletes to register and apply for inclusion in SAI schemes.

NITI Aayog has directed that all Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) must be registered on the NITI Aayog portal and should obtain unique identifiers before submitting their applications for grants from any Ministry. Pursuant to the direction, NSFs have been asked to register themselves on the portal and obtain their unique ID numbers. The instructions of NITI Aayog are applicable for implementations of Centrally Sponsored Schemes/Central Sector Schemes through Non-Government Organizations.