Sport - Sports : General

New sports policy drafted

NEW DELHI: The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has drafted a comprehensive sports policy, and in keeping pace with the times, put it up on its website, www.yas.nic.in, seeking comments and suggestions from the public till August 25, before it is finalised.

The new policy, an attempt to improve on the previous national sports policies, aims to accomplish the unfinished agenda and address the emerging challenges of the country in the 21st century.

Sounding idealistic, the policy demands the fostering of sports culture that would act as a critical engine, linking sports development to youth development and eventually to national development. It calls for a national fitness programme to form the foundation for a strong economic growth.

The ambitious policy has promised to keep the athlete on the centre stage, and has been broadly categorised into three sections: (a) sports for all, (b) excellence in sports and (c) legal and institutional measures to put the policy in smooth operation. It aims to provide universal access to sports and physical education for everyone in all segments and age groups; to provide sports facilities in rural and urban areas through institutions. It seeks to make sports and physical education an integral part of the curriculum up to the higher secondary level.

In terms of excellence, the policy assures the commitment of the Union Government in providing the necessary financial and other support to outstanding sports persons.

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