Date:13/06/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/06/13/stories/2008061359621700.htm

Sport - Sports : General

Rs. 678 crore for teams’ preparation

NEW DELHI: The Union Government has allocated Rs. 678 crore for the preparation of the Indian teams for the 2010 Commonwealth Games to be held here.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs gave the approval on Thursday for the scheme of preparation starting 2008-2009.

The objectives of the scheme include improvement of competitiveness in international sports to enhance the medals tally in international events, in particular the Commonwealth Youth Games in Pune this year and the 2010 Commonwealth Games; provision of state-of-the-art training facilities and better competitive opportunities for elite sportspersons and development of a system of selection of sportspersons based on performance.

The scheme also envisages comprehensive training and exposure to top-level competitions in India and foreign countries for 305 days a year to 1,286 elite athletes in 17 disciplines plus one discipline in the EAD (elite athletes with disability) category. — Special Correspondent