Haryana has come up with a new sports policy to help players and widen the scope of employment opportunities for outstanding sports-persons in the State.Sportspersons like boxer Vijender Singh and wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt among others from Haryana have made the country proud with their achievements at international events in the past. Considering the fact, Haryana Government in its new sports policy has announced substantial increase in the award money given to winners of national and international sports events.
From providing right to employment to insurance scheme, to the outstanding sportspersons, the policy has also come up with concrete lifetime assistance to sportspersons in the shape of a pension scheme and assured monthly income through annuity. Besides instituting some new awards for players, the state government has also established awards for coaches as well as for sports associations dotting the length and breadth of the State. Chief Minister Manohar lal unveiled the sports policy ‘Haryana Physical Activities and Sports Policy-2015’ on the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda in Rohtak on Monday.
The policy of giving cash rewards and Government jobs to the medal winners was started by the previous Congress government of Bhupinder Singh Hooda in Haryana. After coming to power, the present BJP government had claimed loopholes in the policy and had decided to announce a new sports policy for Haryana. Elaborating about the new policy, the Chief Minister said, “Honorarium and pension will be given to Arjun Awardees, Dyanchand Awardees and Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratan Awardees from the State in addition to the incentives given by Government of India.”
“With the motto ‘catch them young, catch them right’ a mass exercise to test physical exercise ability of all children would be organised annually in schools. Haryana Government will increase the number of sports scholarships as well as enhance the scholarship. Also, one sports school would be set up in each district by converting one senior secondary,” said Manohar lal.
The new policy also introduces State Physical Fitness Programme in schools, mass exercise to test physical ability of all children, and remodel the earlier Sports and Physical Aptitude Test (SPAT). The state government also announced to constitute sports councils, Sports Authority of Haryana and Haryana Sports Development Fund. The Chief Minister said that adventure sports involving trekking, scuba diving, gliding, skiing, river rafting, rock climbing, mountaineering and cycling will also be promoted in the State. And, additional resources would be mobilised for development of sports infrastructure in the State making use of PPP model.
Increase in the award money to outstanding Sportspersons:
The policy hiked the cash award for Olympic/Paralympic gold medal winners to Rs6 crore from the previous Rs5 crore. Rs4 crore and Rs2.5 crore has announced for silver and bronze winners respectively. The cash rewards for medal-winners at the Asian/Para Asian Games have been hiked substantially, with gold medalists getting Rs3 crore, up from the previous Rs2 crore. Silver and bronze medalists would be getting Rs1.5 crore and Rs75 lakh respectively. For medal winner in Commonwealth/Para Commonwealth games, Rs1.5 crore, Rs75 lakh and Rs50 lakh is announced for gold, silver and bronze medal winners respectively. Only sportspersons who have represented the state of Haryana in any sport, with residency or domicile in the State would be eligible for the cash awards.
New awards announced
Eklavya Award will be given every year to five junior sportspersons and comprise cash amount of Rs1 lakh, a memento, scroll, blazer and a tie or a scarf. Maharana Pratap award for lifetime contribution for men sportsperson comprise cash amount of Rs2 lakh, a memento, scroll, blazer and a tie or a scarf. The award for lifetime contribution in sports for women will be known as Rani laxmi Bai award and comprise cash amount of Rs2 lakh, memento, scroll, blazer and a tie or a scarf. Guru Vashisht Award to be given to outstanding coach comprise cash amount of Rs2 lakh. Vikrmaditaya award for referee, umpire and judge will comprise of cash amount of Rs2 lakh, memento, scroll, blazer and a tie or a scarf. Also, a cash award of Rs5 lakh for best performing sports association will be given on annual basis.
Yoga made compulsory in educational institutions
Yoga is made compulsory in all schools of Haryana and every district sports stadium will be equipped with a yoga centre. During zero hour, yoga practice will be held in all schools and it will be treated as an integral part of the sports training programs. Apart from yoga, special efforts will be taken to promote karate and other self defence sports and games across all educational institutions for women.
‘Akhada Competitions’ to be organised
‘Akhada Competitions’ will be organised regularly with a view to promote ‘akhadas’ which are in large number in the state. From now onwards, the sportsperson securing first position at State level Akhara Kushti Competition will get Rs5,100 instead of Rs500 earlier. Cash awards for other State level competitions have also been increased significantly
6,500 village-level stadiums (Vyamshallas)
To make children physically fit and spot and nurture budding sporting talent, as many as 6,500 village-level stadiums (Vyamshallas) would be constructed in the villages of Haryana and Rs1-crore Sports Science lab will be set up at MDU in Rohtak.