2 NEW SCHEMES FOR SPORTSPERSONS
NEW DELHI: The Delhi government will reach out to sportspersons with its two new schemes, namely ‘Play & Progress’ and ‘Mission Excellence’, and examine whether these policies will really help in the development of the athletes and sportspersons.
An government official said Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Thursday chaired separate meetings with a special committee of experts (COE), to discuss further modalities for the implementation of government’s policies to support budding sportspersons.
The meeting was attended by senior officials of the department.
“The problem in sports administration is that the decision-making powers are held by those who have had no link to sports in their lives,” Sisodia said at the meeting.
He added that before moving on to further discussions, it is important to take these policies to the sportspersons, since there is no point of such hard work if the benefit does not reach the real stakeholders.
The COE will consists eminent sportspersons like Karnam Malleswari, India’s first woman Olympic medallist, shooter Gagan Narang and former tennis star Manisha Malhotra.
The ‘Play & Progress’ scheme will benefit talent in sports at the school level. Students under 14 years of age can get Rs 2 lakh per annum directly from the state government, while those in the 14-17 years age bracket can get Rs 3 lakh per annum.
The quantum of assistance may be enhanced by 20 per cent subject to approval from COE.
“Any student who has studied in Delhi for the past three years is eligible for financial assistance, and such students will also be eligible for specialised training at designated centres to the kids who are in the under 14 and 14-17 years age bracket,” said an official.
The games shortlisted for this scheme are athletics, badminton, swimming, hockey, wrestling, cricket, football, boxing, gymnastics, kabaddi, basketball, judo, karate, table tennis and baseball.
Specialised training for the budding athletes will be organised at 18 centres, including Chhatrasal Stadium, Thyagraj Stadium, East Vinod Nagar Sports Complex and Najafgarh Stadium etc.
The second policy ‘Mission Excellence’ will benefit established sportspersons for their continuous growth.
Hundred top-level sportspersons from Delhi will receive training and coaching on the government’s expense, to prepare them for competing in international tournaments and championships.