Introduction :

The Scheme of Rural Sports Programme, launched in the year 1970-71 with a view to broadbase games and sports and tap the hidden talent in rural areas, was being operated by the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India. The Department was also operating another scheme namely, 'Special Scheme for Sports Activities among the Backward Tribes'. The present scheme named Rural Sports Clubs (RSC) is an improvement over the earlier schemes as apart from arranging tournaments in rural areas, it also puts emphasis on encouraging Sports Club Culture in rural and tribal areas of the country. For the successful implementation of the scheme at grass root level, Department of Youth Affairs and Sports has identified Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan as the nodal agency.