Special Area Games Scheme

The Special Area Games (SAG) Scheme is an important talent identification and sports development initiative of India’s Sports Authority of India (SAI), launched with the objective of discovering, nurturing, and training young sporting talent—particularly from tribal, rural, hilly, and coastal regions—who possess natural aptitude for specific indigenous or Olympic disciplines. Established in 1986, the scheme aims to provide world-class training and infrastructure to athletes from remote and underprivileged areas, enabling them to compete at national and international levels.

Background and Rationale

India’s vast and diverse geography is home to numerous communities whose traditional lifestyles and physical conditioning are naturally suited to particular sports. For instance, athletes from hilly regions often possess strong endurance for long-distance running, while those from coastal or tribal belts may demonstrate strength and agility beneficial for combat and field sports.
Recognising this latent potential, the Government of India, through the Sports Authority of India, introduced the Special Area Games Scheme in 1986 as part of its broader strategy for sports promotion and excellence. The scheme sought to extend modern training opportunities to talented youth from regions that had historically remained outside the formal sports ecosystem.

Objectives of the Scheme

The primary objectives of the Special Area Games Scheme are:

• Identification of Natural Talent: To scout and identify young talent in tribal, rural, and backward regions with inherent potential for specific sports disciplines.
• Scientific Training: To provide systematic, professional coaching and sports science support to refine raw talent into competitive ability.
• Infrastructure Development: To establish well-equipped sports centres and hostels in selected areas to facilitate integrated training and education.
• Inclusive Participation: To promote participation from socio-economically disadvantaged sections, ensuring balanced regional representation in national sports.
• Development of Indigenous Sports: To revive and institutionalise traditional and regionally popular games through structured coaching.

Implementation and Structure

The Sports Authority of India (SAI) is the nodal implementing agency for the SAG Scheme. The programme is executed through a network of Special Area Games Centres and Extension Centres located in various parts of the country.
Implementation Process:

1. Talent Scouting: Expert teams conduct field visits, sports trials, and competitions to identify promising athletes aged between 10 and 18 years.
2. Selection: Candidates are shortlisted based on physical fitness, skill, and potential through scientific evaluation and field tests.
3. Admission to Centres: Selected athletes are admitted to residential or non-residential SAG centres, where they receive coaching, education, and nutritional support.
4. Training: Professional coaches, appointed by SAI, provide discipline-specific training supported by sports scientists, physiotherapists, and nutritionists.
5. Competitions: Trainees regularly participate in district, state, national, and international tournaments.

Facilities Provided to Trainees

Athletes selected under the Special Area Games Scheme receive a comprehensive package of facilities free of cost, which includes:

• Boarding and Lodging: Residential accommodation with nutritious diet as per prescribed standards.
• Sports Kit and Equipment: High-quality training gear and competition equipment.
• Coaching: Expert coaching by qualified SAI coaches.
• Education: Opportunities to continue academic studies alongside sports training.
• Medical Support: Periodic health check-ups, sports medicine assistance, and injury management.
• Stipend and Incentives: Monthly allowances and performance-linked incentives.
• Competition Exposure: Participation in regional and national-level competitions to gain experience.

These provisions ensure holistic development, enabling athletes to balance both sports and education.

Disciplines Covered

The sports disciplines under the SAG Scheme are selected based on regional suitability and traditional strengths. They typically include:

• Athletics (Track and Field)
• Boxing
• Wrestling
• Archery
• Hockey
• Football
• Weightlifting
• Volleyball
• Kabaddi and Kho-Kho
• Rowing and Canoeing
• Judo and Taekwondo

Additionally, traditional and indigenous games with local relevance are also promoted in certain regions, fostering a connection between heritage and modern sports excellence.

Regional Centres and Coverage

Special Area Games Centres are strategically distributed across the country, particularly in regions with high concentrations of tribal and rural populations. Prominent SAG Centres are located in:

• Imphal (Manipur) – Focused on boxing, weightlifting, and archery.
• Itanagar (Arunachal Pradesh) – Archery and athletics.
• Dimapur (Nagaland) – Football and boxing.
• Kandivali (Maharashtra) – Wrestling and athletics.
• Ranchi (Jharkhand) – Hockey and archery.
• Kandhuli (Odisha) – Athletics and football.
• Udaipur (Rajasthan) – Wrestling and volleyball.
• Alappuzha (Kerala) – Rowing and canoeing.

These centres serve as hubs of sports development for youth from surrounding regions.

Achievements and Impact

The Special Area Games Scheme has played a transformative role in Indian sports by identifying and nurturing talent from regions previously lacking institutional support. Many prominent athletes have emerged from the scheme and represented India in international competitions, including the Olympic Games, Asian Games, and Commonwealth Games.
Key achievements include:

• Enhanced representation of athletes from tribal and northeastern states in national teams.
• Discovery of medal-winning athletes in boxing, archery, weightlifting, and hockey.
• Promotion of women’s participation in competitive sports through equal training opportunities.
• Development of sports infrastructure in remote areas, promoting local engagement and employment.

The scheme has also strengthened India’s grassroots sports ecosystem and contributed to inclusive national integration through sports.

Challenges and Limitations

Despite its success, the SAG Scheme faces several operational challenges:

• Inadequate Infrastructure: Some centres face shortages of modern equipment and facilities.
• Limited Expansion: The number of SAG centres is relatively small compared to the scale of rural talent across India.
• Retention of Trainees: Socio-economic factors sometimes lead to dropouts among selected athletes.
• Administrative Bottlenecks: Delays in funding, procurement, and staffing occasionally affect smooth functioning.
• Monitoring and Evaluation: Need for stronger performance tracking and data management systems.

Efforts are ongoing to address these gaps through reforms, partnerships, and increased investment in grassroots sports.

Recent Developments and Future Directions

In recent years, the Government of India has integrated the Special Area Games Scheme within the broader Khelo India Mission, strengthening coordination and funding for grassroots sports development. Many SAG centres are being upgraded with advanced training facilities, and athlete welfare programmes have been expanded.
Plans include:

• Expansion of SAG centres to more tribal and rural districts.
• Enhanced talent identification drives using sports science and technology.
• Collaboration with state governments and private sports academies.
• Increased focus on women athletes and indigenous sports.