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Journalism of Courage
CHANDIGARH, MARCH 11: Randhir Singh, the secretary General of the Indian Olympic Association, has strongly advocated the setting up of zonal sports academies. Availability of talent and popularity of the sports disciplines should be the only criteria for selecting the venue for a particular academy, he feels.
Randhir Singh disclosed that the IOA would raise a corporate fund to promote sportspersons and Nationals Olympic AssociationsFederations. The IOA is already spending good amount on foreign coaches employed by the federations. The Government of India sanctions only that amount which is admissible under the rules to the foreign coaches working in India. As the amount is not sufficient, the IOA’s contribution comes in.
Besides, budding stars, namely Abhinav Bindra, Nisha Millet and Neha Ahuja are receiving $1200 per month through IOA for training etc. The IOA also considers meeting the travel expenses of these athletes for participation abroad.
As regards the foreign coaches to train our sportspersons, Randhir said the top foreign coaches should be invited for conducting clinic for our coaches also. As far the training is concerned, foreign coaches should be invited for a longer period (at least two to three years). He, however, cautioned that Indian and foreign coaches should be treated at par. The Indian national coaches should also get the same treatment as enjoyed by the foreign trainers.
Congratulating the Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha and Union Sports Minister Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa for getting 100 per cent tax exemption in the budget to the Indian Olympic Association, Randhir Singh said, "The corporate houses are encouraged through such policy."
