New scheme to promote sports

NEW Delhi, February 23: Deserving but cash-strapped sportspersons can now look forward to a new horizon with Union Government proposing a...

NEW Delhi, February 23: Deserving but cash-strapped sportspersons can now look forward to a new horizon with Union Government proposing a scheme wherein amount of upto Rs five lakhs can be sanctioned to an individual for improving standard through proper training.

Announcing this in the Lok Sabha during question hour yesterday, Human Resource Development Minister Murli Manohar Joshi said to improve and consolidate the present performance, the government has asked all national sports federations to draw up a detailed long term sports development programme.

In their endeavour to speed up their goal of enhancing sporting activities, all the existing sports schemes operated by the government have been suitaibly revised. The Sports Authority of India has been asked to hold regular coaching camps and to provide requisite scientific support. Foreign coaches are also being selectively appointed for coaching, Joshi said.

According to the assistance sanctioned under the scheme of grant for creation of sports infrastructure for the year 1997-98, the highest amount was allotted to Tripura at Rs 1,23,67,500, a whooping jump from the previous assistance of Rs 14,50,000. Himachal Pradesh follows second at 95,05,275, and is followed by Mizoram at Rs 89,19,600 which, however, had received a higher amount of Rs 1,07,74,500 in 1996-97.