New sports policy on the anvil; Aiyar

New Delhi, May 9 (UNI) Union Sports Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar today disclosed that a new comprehensive sports policy was being formulated by the Central government, though it was a state subject.

Replying to a question in the Lok Sabha, the Minister, who also holds the Panchayati Raj portfolio, said the draft of a policy to promote sports in rural areas of the country would be ready in about ten days.

Stating that only five crore out of 77 crore children had access to sports facilities in the country, he said Panchayat Yuva Kreeda Aur Khel programme by the Panchayati Raj Ministry would go a long way in taking care of the sports needs of the remaining 72 crore children.

When former union sports minister Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa asked if his earlier proposal to set up a cash pool with surplus from rich sports federations in the country to help promote those sports requiring cash infusion was still under consideration of the government, Mr Aiyar replied in the affirmative, adding Board of Control of Cricket in India (BCCI) had agreed to make contribution to such a pool for promotion of other sports.

UNI