NATIONAL AIR SPORTS POLICY 2022

The Ministry of Civil Aviation has launched National Air Sports Policy to promote sports events like aerobatics, hot-air ballooning, and paragliding.

POTENTIAL OF AIR SPORTS ECOSYSTEM IN INDIA.

• The air sports ecosystem in India has the potential to generate over 1 lakh direct jobs and generate annual revenue of Rs 10,000 crore.
• Besides the economic benefits, the sector is also expected to boost tourism, travel, infrastructure, and employment, especially in the hilly areas.
• The main aim is to promote the sector by providing a safe, affordable, accessible, enjoyable, and sustainable air sports ecosystem.
• The idea behind National Air Sports Policy 2022 is to engage migratory air sports professionals who move away from prominent air sports locations, especially during the winter season.

FEATURE OF NATIONA AIR SPORTS POLICY

• The aim of the National Air Sports Policy 2022 is to make India one of the top air sports nations by 2030.
• The policy document defines air sports as sports activity involving the medium of air.
• To govern the aero sports the four-tier structure will be established with the Air Sports Federation of India as the apex body.
• The Air Sports Federation will be an autonomous body under the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
• It listed 11 games under the category which includes aerobatic, aero modeling, rocketry, ballooning, amateur-built and experimental aircraft, and various other game.
• The safety standard for equipment, infrastructure, personnel, and training as per global best practices for the respective sport should be laid down by Air Sports Associations.
• An accident related to air sports has to be reported to the concerned air sports association in writing along with a copy to the ASFI within 48 hours.
• All people and organizations engaged in air sports have to compulsorily register as members of the Air Sports Association.
• To promote air sports activity the govt is likely to advocate for 5% or less of GST on equipment which presently is 18 to 28%.
• Any violation of the rule laid out by the policy will attract penalties up to a maximum of Rs 50,000.

OTHER GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES FOR SPORTS DEVELOPMENT

• Khelo India Programme – It has been introduced to revive the sports culture in India at the grass-root level by building a strong framework for all sports played in the country.
• National Sports Development Fund – Established in 1998 to help sportspeople with necessary aid to excel and to develop sports infrastructure.
• Sports Authority of India training centers scheme – To groom the Junior Level sportsperson in the age group of 12-18years.
• Khelo India Youth Game – This is a multidisciplinary grassroots game held for under 17 school students and under 21 college students.
• Special Area Game Scheme – This is to identify sporting talents in the age of 10-18years from the backward, hilly, and tribal areas of the country.

There is a need to utilize the energy of Indian youth below the age of 35 years who account for 70 per cent of the population of India, which is larger than the population of many countries.