An Interaction session with Union Minister for Labour & Employment and Youth Resource & Sports Dr. Mansukh. L. Mandaviya was held at Indira Gandhi stadium Kohima on December 7.
Speaking at the interaction session, Dr. Mandaviya stated that India has a rich history of sports and boasts some of the world’s greatest athletes. To produce such athletes a good sports infrastructure is very important, and said that sports infrastructure in India has come a long way in recent years.
Dr. Mandaviya added that India has a rich sporting culture, and over the years, there have been many initiatives taken by the government and private sector to develop the sports infrastructure in the country.
However, he maintained that there are still challenges that need to be overcome to make sports accessible to all and promote the development of young sporting talent in the country.
“The government and private sector need to continue investing in sports infrastructure and ensure that the existing facilities are well maintained to create a sporting culture in the country that fosters the development of young talent and promotes the country’s sporting image globally”. He stated.
Dr. Mansukh maintained that over the last decade, under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister, Narendra Modi Ji, India has undergone a remarkable transformation in the field of sports. He mentioned that in contrast to earlier times when the focus on sports development was limited, the current administration has taken a more proactive and comprehensive approach to reshape the sports ecosystem.
He mentioned that Khelo India Program which was launched in 2018 is an initiative focused on promoting grassroots sports and identifying young talent across the country. It aims to create a pipeline of athletes who can compete at the national and international levels.
Launched in 2014, Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) provides funding and support to elite athletes with the potential to win medals at the Olympic Games. This initiative is focused on enhancing the performance of Indian athletes at major international competitions.
Dr. Mandaviya informed that the government has recognized the potential of e-sports to not only entertain but also create new opportunities for youth, innovation, and economic growth. During the event, Dr. Mandaviya also had an interaction with the officials of Labour& Employment Department, youth Resource & Sports department, Nagaland Olympic Association and state sport’s Association. (DIPR)