Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya Chairs 4th Khelo India General Council Meeting, Unveils Draft Sports Policy.
New Delhi:
Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, chaired the 4th General Council meeting of the Khelo India Scheme today in New Delhi. The meeting brought together senior officials from various states, sports control boards, national sports federations, and representatives from central ministries to discuss advancements in sports development.
A key announcement from the meeting was the release of a Draft Sports Policy on the Ministry’s website for public consultation. Dr. Mandaviya emphasized that this policy aims to modernize the existing framework to align with the evolving sports landscape in India. Stakeholders, including state governments and the public, are invited to provide feedback to help shape the final policy, which will also serve as a model for states lacking their own sports policies.
The minister reviewed the progress of the Khelo India Scheme and called for improvements in sports infrastructure and facilities to enhance athlete performance. He highlighted the importance of a Whole-of-Government Approach to facilitate coordinated talent identification efforts among various agencies, including public sector undertakings and national sports federations.
In a move to bolster athlete welfare and recruitment processes, Dr. Mandaviya directed the reconstitution of sub-committees focused on enhancing support systems for athletes and developing talent identification programs at the grassroots level.
Additionally, the Union Minister announced the creation of a dedicated portal for sports recruitment information across central ministries, aimed at improving transparency and accessibility for athletes seeking opportunities.
The meeting also reviewed progress on the unified sports infrastructure database under PM Gati Shakti, with directives to compile data from states and sports federations to create a comprehensive inventory of sports facilities nationwide.
