Amid the controversy surrounding Union Sports Minister Vijay Goel’s visit to Rio Olympics, Haryana Sports Minister Anil Vij is all set to lead a delegation to Rio to encourage players from the State.
led by Sports Minister Anil Vij, the entourage comprises two MlAs, the media adviser to the CM, the Minister’s private secretary, additional chief secretary (sports) and his private secretary, Director Sports and Joint Secretary Sports. The delegation, largely comprising people from non-sports background would cost the State exchequer Rs 1 crore.
Vij while talking to the mediapersons ,while justifying the need of visit, said, “I would also have a look at the infrastructure at Olympics venues as Haryana might host National Games this year.”
“An all-party meeting was held last month and everyone suggested that the Sports Minister should go there. A State delegation will go from here on August 13,” said Vij.
Notably, the monsoon Assembly session of Haryana Vidhan Sabha which was earlier scheduled to begin on August 19, was postpone to August 26 keeping in view the State delegation visit to Rio, Brazil. Haryana is contributing 20 players, maximum for a state, to the 121-member Indian contingent at Rio.
The State delegation has planned to watch wrestling and boxing events of Haryana players, besides hockey matches. The delegation will also watch the closing ceremony.
Union Sports Minister Goel, who is currently in Rio with a large delegation, has kicked up a storm. The Rio organisers wrote a letter to India’s chef-de-mission, Rakesh Gupta, complaining of the Ministerial staff and their rude behaviour with tournament officials and even threatened to cancel Goel’s accreditation.