Citizens suggest how to make India a Sports Superpower

After forming government on the 26th of May 2014 Prime Minister Narenda Modi launched a website MyGov.in. The main aim of launching it was that people should participate in the way government functions.

MyGov.in has 1.87 registered members as of now and they take up various tasks put on the site and also engage in meaningful discussions. Accordingly the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports had sought views and suggestions from citizens in December 2014 on MyGov.in website on 'Making India a sports superpower'.

As per the Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Youth Affairs and Sports, Sarbananda Sonowal has said that the following major suggestions have been received:

1. Encourage Corporates to invest in the sporting sector and create global-level facilities and infrastructure.
2. Increase the number of zonal and state level competitions to recognize talent from every part of the country.
3. Bring in world-class coaches and training equipment to improve the skills of interested athletes and lay down a strong foundation for the future generation.
4. Allow sports personalities and private entities to adopt/sponsor a district and use their funds and skills to identify talented individuals.
5. Establish Sports Universities across India that encourage people from all walks of life, including the tribals, to take part in sports activities.
6. Set up sports training centers abroad so that athletes can train in the optimal environment required for a particular sport.
7. Appeal to every Sports celebrity to adopt at least one tehsil for providing and monitoring the facilities for sports.
8. Encourage regional sports like archery in Andamans and NE India; fencing, high jumping in Punjab, boat racing in Kerala. Every state has a unique sports community, recognise them.
9. Encourage schools to take up one or two games as their priority games. This will lead to concentration of resources and give better results.
10. Encourage Corporates to invest in the sporting sector and create global-level facilities and infrastructure.
11. Let corporates sponsor one sport using their Marketing or advertising budget.
12. Open Sports Universities in five Zones - East, West, North, South and Central, headed by sports personnel and assisted by the armed forces or vice-versa.
13. Have sport schools abroad under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with world-class infrastructure, lodging and boarding, global coaching talent. Send selected sportsmen there to enable their bodies to adapt to the food and climate.
14. Have a national physical education academy and a cadre of Physical Education Instructors. Establish a National Sports University with a Sports Academy in each state.
15. Issue a card giving 5% discount in utilities bill of electricity, water, house tax, parking, rail or air tickets etc. to distinguished sportsmen.

The government's wish to seek suggestions from people and implement them is earning good reviews from the citizens. Citizens who are actively taking part in the various activities put on MyGov.in are enjoying being part of participatory and vibrant democracy.