Centre to launch ambitious scheme to boost grassroots sports

Patiala, Sep 26 (UNI) To promote sports and games at the grassroot level, the Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has embarked upon an ambitious PYKA Scheme (Panchayat Yuva Krira aur Khel Abhiyan) which will involve Rs.15000 crore in a span of five-year.

According to reliable sources, the brainchild of former Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Mani Shankar Iyer, and backed by his successor, Dr.M.S.Gill, the Scheme envisages to create a network of basic sports infrastructure throughout the country and provide universal access to sports in rural areas.

Its other objectives include providing annual competition grant from Panchayat to national level and providing annual acquisition grant for five years for acquiring and mainataining sports equipment, and playfields and to broadbase sports infrastructure at the grassroot level.

The All India Rural Sports Tournament, which was in vogue till recently, has been merged in the PYKA Scheme which would be executed by the newly set-up PYKA Mission Directorate in the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.

Dr P C Kashyap, who was Executive Director (TEAMS) in Sports Authority of India, is at the helm to implement the Scheme, well supported by Project Officers and other staff.

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