Govt to come out with National Sports Policy soon

New Delhi, May 3 (UNI) The Government today said it will come out with a comprehensive National Sports Policy, involving 72 crore children and youth, to improve sports infrastructure in the country as well as increase its medal tally in international meets.

Answering a range of supplementary questions from the members in the Radii Sabha expressing concern about the sorry state of sports affairs in the country, Sports and Panchayatraj Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar said the existing policy formulated in 2001 had not succeeded in meeting the national aspirations. The new policy will provide road map and milestones for building infrastructure and increase Indian presence in international meets.

The medal tally of India at the Asian Games at Doha was one eighth of China and it did not bring any credit.

He said various sports organisations had proposed a Rs 1,500 crore proposal to improve sports infrastructure in the country but the Government was presently considering Rs 300 crore proposal and was holding discussions with various national sports federations for training and other facilities.

He said the Ministry of Sports was considering 'Panchayat Yuva Khel Kreeda' proposal which was in an advanced stage to build sports infrastructure in panchayats across the country. It has to be brought before the Cabinet for approval, he said adding that there was a need to have 'cradle to grave' sports policy.

To a question he said though Sports was a State subject it was wrong to say that the Centre had no responsibility at all.

UNI