In order to identify talented sportsmen at block level and provide them all essential sports related facilities to compete at the international level, a new scheme named Rajiv Gandhi Khel Abhiyan will be launched in the country.
Union Minister of State for Youth Welfare and Sports Jitendra Singh said he would soon present a proposal of this scheme before the Union Cabinet. He said this while unveiling several schemes for developing the Maharana Pratap Sports College in Dehradun.On a rainy Thursday, Singh unveiled schemes with an estimated cost of Rs 42 crore which include athletics synthetic track costing Rs 7.28 crore, multipurpose hall costing Rs 15.88 crore at the Maharana Pratap Sports College; Rs 4.5 crore for developing sports facilities at Parade Ground, hockey astroturf ground costing Rs six crore; multipurpose hall and 400 metre track costing Rs 2.97 crore at Directorate of Youth Welfare and Sports.
In his address, he appreciated the State Government for taking measures for the benefit of sportsmen. Engaging youth in sports is an important method of merging them in the developmental mainstream. The central government is going to launch a scheme to identify the talented sportsmen at the block level and provide them opportunities to excel at international level and he would present it before the cabinet within a month.
Under this scheme, all the districts will be given Rs 15 crore for providing sports facilitates at the block level. In order to develop them to international standards, the selected candidates will be trained at well-known training centres of the country. “India does not have shortage of talented players, but we need to identify and provide them opportunities,” he added.
Singh said that women players have also brought fame to the country by winning medals at international level tournaments. The central Government will take all possible steps for promoting girls in sports.
He announced the establishment of the SAI Training Centre in Dehradun to train girls of the State. This training centre will be equipped with all the modern sports related facilities, he added.
In order to provide employment opportunities, the central Government will fix quota for sportsmen in Government sectors like Indian Army, paramilitary force and other sectors. The private sector should come forward to provide job to sportsmen who secure medals at state, national and international level competitions, he appealed. Pauri MP Satpal Maharaj said that State players will be benefited from the schemes launched by the minister.
Uttarakhand Sports Minister Dinesh Aggarwal said that State Government has taken several steps to promote sports in the State. The construction of international stadium and sports complex at Dehradun is under process with the help of ONGC. Two outdoor stadiums at Pauri and Srinagar with an estimate cost of Rs six crore have been approved. A total of 13 outdoor stadiums, 11 indoor stadiums have been made in the State.