PM’s sports mantra ‘Khelo India’

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has now set his sight on improving condition of sports in the country. He wants sports to be free from red-tapism and clutches of bureaucracy.

Speaking to Zee Media, union minister of state (Independent charge) for sports, Col. Rajyawardhan Singh Rathore said that the PM has conceived a plan to create conducive environment for sports in the country. As per his idea, soon a plan “Khelo India” would be prepared and put up in the cabinet for discussion and approval.

Col. Rathore, a silver medalist in Athens Olympics was given independent charge of the sports ministry in the recent cabinet reshuffle. He said that the PM wanted a scientific system to improve country’s sports system. He has sought experts’ opinion to set it on a right path. “I hope that sports system is set free from bureaucratic bungle and red-tapism. A sportsman should compete with rival not the system,” he added.

According to the minister, Rajasthan government’s initiative of providing government jobs to outstanding sports persons was commendable as it would encourage them to perform better.

The union sports ministry too has shortlisted 152 sports persons for a monthly stipend of Rs 50,000 for better preparation for international competitions. The sports minister was also hopeful that budding footballers would learn from FIFA under-17 world cup to be held next month in India. “Indian football would reap benefits of it in the future,” he said.