Haryana to form State Sports Council

Chandigarh, Dec 3 (UNI) The Haryana government today decided to constitute Haryana State Sports Council so as to promote sports in a big way.

A decision to this effect was taken in a meeting presided over by Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda here today.

The Sports Council would be headed by Chief Minister as its President and Minister of Sports would be its Vice-President.

The other ex-officio members of the Sports Council would include Education Minister, Finance Minister, Panchayat Minister, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister and Secretaries of Departments of Finance, Education, Panchayat and Director of Sports and Youth Affairs Department.

Secretary Sports Department will be the Member Secretary of the Sports Council.

It was decided that the Sports Council would have up to eight nominated members. These members would be nominated by the President of the Sports Council.

''The Sports Council aims at planning and implementation of schemes for the welfare of sports persons, building character, promoting team spirit, popularising and encouraging sports among people and developing a spirit of belonging to the state through the medium of games,'' an official spokesman said.

It also aimed at providing advance coaching facilities to sports persons in the state for attaining high standard of sports. It would issue directions to various sports associations regarding policy matter and give recognition to sports associations in Haryana.

The Sports Council would send observers to various important tournament matches or competitions within and outside the country. It will foster a spirit of camaraderie between different Associations, District Sports Councils and devise and adopt ways and means to propagate and improve the standard of various games and sports within the State.

The sports Council would raise funds by way of grants or donations or subscriptions for promotion of sports or games and for fulfillment of its aims and objectives.

The Council would sanction grant-in-aid to State Sports Associations, Districts Sports Councils, District Sports Associations, deserving sports persons, as it may deem fit. Other functions of the Council included construction and maintenance of sports infrastructure and assets and avail of financial assistance from Government of India under various schemes.

UNI