India urges investors to invest for development of Sports

NEW DELHI: India’s Youth Affairs and sports and Information and Broadcasting Minister Col. Rajyavardhan Rathore has urged the investors to invest for the development of sports in the country.nnAddressing SCORECARD 2018 here today, he called upon all stakeholders to come together to take sports to a greater height in the country.Col. Rathore said Sports ministry is trying to create a system wherein local potential is recognized, nurtured and taken to international podium.nnHe said Khelo India scheme launched by the government is very promising for nurturing talent and the concept has been received well by people.nnHe said the government is working on a project that will identify the potential and hone the skills of 8 to 10 years of age in the country and provide them scholarships.nnHe said, the government will partner with school boards, state governments and the armed forces to identify and map the physical fitness of 8-10-year-olds based on a simple test. After the first test has been carried out the number of student will be narrowed to 5000 children followed by 1000 students on which super advance tests will be conducted. The right physical talent for the right sport will be identified and Rs 5 lakh scholarship will be given to them for eight years so that by the time the child is 16 years he is ready to be a champion.nnThe minister emphasised that no athlete will have to hesitate before asking for funds as there is no dearth of money for sportspersons.nnCol. Rathore said for the elite sportsmen, TOP (Target Olympic Podium) Scheme has been formulated within the overall ambit of National Sports Development Fund (NSDF) with the objective of identifying and supporting potential medal prospects for Olympic Games.nnThe minister said National Sports University, Imphal, Manipur will be the first of its kind to promote sports education for select sports disciplines by adopting best international practices.nnCol. Rathore said that his ministry is also planning a manufacturers’ summit later this year, where international companies along with their Indian counterparts will come together and tell the government what policy modifications are required to start manufacturing sport equipment in India.