The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports is going to establish a first-of-its-kind national sports museum at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi. The decision was taken three months ago but the current venue was finalised by Sports Minister Vijay Goel after a series of meetings and his personal visits to several locations in the capital.
Mr Goel said the museum would showcase India’s achievements in sports and also focus on traditional disciplines within the country. He added that the aim was to popularise sports as a way of life within the country. Accordingly, the proposed museum would go beyond the classical approach of a collection of memorabilia to become an interactive venue of interest for all age groups. In addition, Mr Goel said, it will display achievements of the Indian greats and also act as an educational hub and offer opportunity for the young to delve into newer disciplines.
He appealed to all past and present sportspersons and members of the general public to contribute any memorabilia held by them for permanent display in the National Sports Museum. He said such contribution would be recognised and acknowledged.
The museum will have audio-visual display of rules and legacy events pertaining to various sports as part of education for budding sportspersons, a well-equipped library of sports and physical fitness, painting gallery and amphitheatre for screening of legacy matches/ contests/games.
The Minister said that it will have a cafeteria, an activity zone, a souvenir/pro shop and a play area. It is proposed that the activities planned in various segments will include sporting activities, sports-related computer games and kiosks selling sports memorabilia and equipment.