Rathore aims to support pre-teen sportspersons

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, January 15

Union Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore said that the Khelo India programme was a long term commitment. Rathore said that the idea was to eventually bring down the age of the beneficiaries of the scholarships from the 17-year to 12-14-year age group.

He also said that the major part of the budget would be used to support young and upcoming athletes and their coaches rather than to construct stadiums.

“Right now we have just started with Khelo India. We are doing this with an under-17 tournament. But 17 may not be the right age to support for eight years,” Rathore said. “Ideally, 18-19-year-old players should be knocking on the doors of the national team. If not at 18-19, then by 20-22 for sure,” he added.

“Provided we succeed in this sports movement, we will reduce the age so that 12-14-year-olds get the same help. If they get the same sponsorship for eight years, when they turn 18 or 20 they are ready to represent India at the highest level,” he added. “Khelo India will prepare bench strength.”

Unique platform

“We are creating soft infrastructure. Simply constructing stadiums or facilities will not work. How to utilise them? How to easily provide them a window with coaching? These are the things we are working on,” he said.

He added that a database of coaches would be made. Coaches would be provided with the opportunity to enhance their knowledge through short-term courses.

“Coaches from all parts of the country will have to first register themselves. We plan to run short-term courses in India and abroad. Those who join the course will then get certified. So anybody can find out a coach’s grading. Even schools can then hire coaches from this database,” he said.