Govt to encourage sports at taluk, village level

New Delhi, Apr 17 (UNI) The government will encourage sports at the village and taluk level to motivate rural children to take part, newly-inducted Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs M S Gill said today.

Replying to a question in Rajya Sabha during Question Hour, the Minister admitted that it was an ''embarassment'' for him as well as the country the paltry amount that sportspersons received as annual scholarships.

He said he would try to enhance the amount but asked state governments to send to the Ministry details about infrastructure they require and sports events taking place in their villages.

''Sports will be taken to the village level,'' he assured the House.

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