Probably wishfull thinking on my part but I'm fairly sure that some programmes where they authorities don't try to fight against what the kids want to do but get them to do it in another, legal and responsible way have been successful ie car crime...train them as mechanics, get them into things like stock car racing etc and graffiti...give them proper art training and a chance to sell work.
Just maybe taking kids that are turning to gun crime etc and training them to shoot as a sport where they can be taught to handle weapons responsibly and safely might work. IIRC the BBC presenters said during the canoe/kayak slalom that some of the South Africa team had been made up from kids taken off the streets to stop them getting into the gun culture...basically stuck them in a canoe, told them if they wanted an adrenalin rush try this and shoved them dowm a rapid...and some end up at the Olympics and become great role-model material for others.
As for the 'minority' sports I think with Sky having a sizable monopoly on the top level sports the terrestrial stations could do a lot more to promote other sports here in the UK that are in need of some media attention rather than showing Italian and African soccer and other comps/sports that are not taking place here. For example there is Aussie Rules played in England and Scotland as well as baseball, softball and I don't think I've ever seen UK netball or basketball on tv. BBC Scotland do at least give shinty a fair crack and show live games during the season on BBC2.
They are all quick enough to jump on the 'get the kids fit' and obesity bandwagons if it means they can makes some ridiculous gimmicky show such as 'Fat Teens Can't Hunt' (yes it was a real tv series). Why not show them some real sports that can might actually like and find locally.
The government should also bring more sport back into schools. I don't have kids but from what parent friends tell me the kids do bugger all in the way of sport now. We had to do hockey, netball, athletics (everything except pole vault), cricket, rounders, lacrosse, volleyball, gym (not proper gymnastics), swimming, tennis, badminton, squash, basketball and the boys got soccer and rugby instead of some girlie stuff...and this was just a State school. The private school I started at obviously had a shed load of other stuff that cost extra but they probably still do so doesn't really count.
Oh dear...sorry there goes another rant
Regards
JAS