Kiren Rijiju reveals that the government will start 1000 Khelo India centers to help retired athletes

The Bharat Express News , Dec 8, 2020

Union Youth and Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju said on Tuesday that the government had made various policy changes and taken initiatives to encourage and support athletes and the sports community even after retirement. Addressing the 10th World Sports Summit, TURF 2020, hosted by FICCI, Rijiju said: "We are also starting 1000 small centers in Khelo India across the country which will help retired sportspeople find jobs or play. a role in shaping the country’s sports culture."

"When an athlete suffers it discourages generations. The government also ensures that prize money, government financial support flows uninterruptedly to athletes and designated beneficiaries."

The Sports Minister noted that India has huge potential when it comes to sports, but the potential on its own is meaningless if not used and channeled in the right way.

"We have to make citizens pro-sports and pro-fitness; we cannot talk about a prosperous India with unfit citizens. We cannot talk about a sports culture without first creating success in the arena. sporty," said Rijiju.

He urged industry, businesses and businesses to join government in helping to create an obsessive sports society.

"There is no lack of government support, but we are not a sporting country. Government efforts alone are never enough. It is the efforts of the people, the participation of the people that will define the success of sport," said the Minister of Sports.

"Even if 2% of the Indian population watch a sport, whether in stadiums or on television, it will make the game popular and bring money for its development. We need to make the sport big. industry in India. It can be a huge contributor to the economy of the country," Rijiju said.

In addition, the Minister of Sports said that the Khelo India and Fit India movements are in full swing.

"Even during the pandemic, we have not stopped activities. Mechanisms using digital technologies have been created to help athletes gain knowledge and continue training," said Rijiju.

"I have set myself the goal of placing India in the top 10 medal-winning nations at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. For this effort, we have initiated various policy changes," he added.

Speaking at the event, Yashodhara Raje Scindia, Minister, Department of Sports and Youth, Technical Education, Skills Development and Employment, Government of Madhya Pradesh, said departments of The state of sports can also be agents of change.

"A very good example of this is that at the last Olympic Games in Rio half of the women’s hockey team was from the state. It shows that if you have a suitable coach, you give it independence. , the proper infrastructure, and the sports facilities he or she can do wonders," said Scindia.

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