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Journalism of Courage
Sports Minister M S Gill on Monday said there was no rift among the members of the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee and all of them were working unitedly to host a successful Games next year.
“There is no trouble in Commonwealth Games Organising Body and all the members are working unitedly to organise the event in 2010,” Gill said at a press conference in response to queries on reported differences among the OC members.
However,he refused to entertain any further query on the issue. Gill arrived here to dedicate the ‘Mountain Wall’,constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 60 lakh,at the Laxmibai National University of Physical Education (LNUPE) and also to inaugurate an international seminar on Sports Psychology at the institute.
When asked about the Hockey India elections,he said that the government has advised all the stakeholders to elect an apex body.
He said that International Hockey Federation also wants an elected body to come up before World Cup Hockey tournament scheduled to be held in New Delhi in February next year. “Therefore,early elections are a must,” he said.
Gill said that the centre is encouraging youth under the Rajiv Gandhi Adventure Sports Scheme. He said he has also asked the Mountaineering Schools situated at Manali,Shimla and Darjeeling to train youth in the field of adventure sports.
Gill said it was necessary to have a sports psychologist in all games as it will help enhance performance.
“Our sportsmen would perform better with the help of psychologists. Cricket and hockey have already engaged psychologists,” the minister said adding his ministry would extend all support to the institute if it starts a course in sports psychology.
The minister enquired whether Pakistani delegates were attending the conference and also informed that Pakistan High Commissioner would meet him soon to enhance cooperation in sports between the two countries.
Later,LNUPE Vice Chancellor Major General (Retd.) S N Mukherjee said that the institute had invited Pakistani delegates for the seminar but they were unable to attend it due to visa problems.
Nearly 350 delegates,including 50 from abroad,are attending the seminar which will conclude on December 24.
