MP targets gold in 2016 Olympics

Bhopal, Nov 16 (UNI) Madhya Pradesh will endeavour to draft a sports policy to hone its sports talents and bag at least one gold medal at the 2016 Olympics, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) said in its manifesto for the 2008 assembly polls.

The manifesto, which also promises to set up a Sports Development Authority, was formally released by BJP Vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu in the presence of Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and others here today.

Along with providing playgrounds and other facilities at panchayat level and free education to outstanding sportspersons, pension would be provided to national and international sportspersons.

Sports academies in various disciplines would be strengthened and special periods for sports and Yoga earmarked in schools and colleges while sports complexes would be developed in major cities, the manifesto said. Medallists, in state and national events, who were employed under sports quota would be exempt from departmental work.

UNI SP AC 1829