Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) [India], October 20 (ANI): Hailing Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Minister of Labour and Employment & Youth Affairs and Sports Mansukh Mandaviya on Sunday said that the nation is progressing forward under the leadership of the PM, who has set a target of making India a ‘Viksit Bharat’ by 2047.
India is set to become one among the top ten performing countries in the world in the field of sports, said the minister inaugurating the upgraded SAI Golf Course at Kowdiar, Thiruvananthapuram.
The Union Minister also emphasized the significance of the Trivandrum Golf Club as a cherished community and a symbol of sporting excellence.
Mandaviya also said that Olympics 2036 in India will nurture the talent in the country.
“Under the leadership of PM Modi, the nation is progressing forward. PM Modi has set a target of making India a ‘Viksit Bharat’ by 2047…We have also set a target of promoting sports and in that direction, various steps are being taken, like identifying grassroots talent and then nurturing them…Coaching is being provided to athletes and sportspersons… The players are being supported through the TOPS (Target Olympic Podium Scheme) scheme,” said Mandaviya.
Union Minister expressed immense pride in the establishment of SAI National Golf Academy, first of its kind in Kerala. The National Golf Academy is equipped with world-class facilities such as a nine-hole international-standard golf course, state-of-the-art fitness centre and modern recreational amenities.
The minister visited and examined the upgraded Golf Course after inauguration, and further explored the course by playing golf. The upgraded Golf Course has been established by the approval of the Ministry of Tourism in line with the Government of India’s commitment to enhancing sporting infrastructure, on March 31, 2017. An allocation of Rs. 9.27 crore was made to SAI’s Lakshmibai National College of Physical Education (LNCPE), and the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) has successfully completed this ambitious project, further elevating the club’s standards to meet international benchmarks.
Mandaviya felicitated international athletes of SAI, Thiruvananthapuram, as part of the event. Suresh Gopi, Minister of state for Tourism and Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas, presided over the function.
Earlier this week, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports put in the public domain the Draft National Sports Governance Bill, 2024 for inviting comments and suggestions of the general public and the stakeholders as part of the pre-legislative consultation process.
On Thursday, Mandaviya outlined the government’s plans to transform sports governance as part of the larger goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047, the centenary of India’s independence.
Mandaviya revealed that discussions with 49 sports federations had taken place, with multiple suggestions offered for the proposed Sports Bill.
Recently, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports held a key meeting at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in the capital, chaired by Mandaviya. The gathering came after the Ministry recently released the Draft National Sports Governance Bill 2024, inviting public and stakeholder comments until October 25.
The Bill seeks to establish a comprehensive framework for the governance and promotion of sports in India, focusing on ethical practices, athlete welfare, and good governance. Among the significant features of the Bill is the formation of a Sports Regulatory Board of India, which will serve as the central authority for recognising and overseeing National Sports Federations (NSFs). This board will ensure that NSFs comply with governance, financial, and ethical standards.
A key aspect of the Bill is the inclusion of athlete representation in decision-making bodies. Ten per cent of voting members in the General Body of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), Paralympic Committee of India (PCI), and NSFs will be sportspersons of outstanding merit. Additionally, the Bill mandates the establishment of Athlete Commissions within these organisations to give athletes a voice in policy formulation.
The Bill also introduces a “Safe Sports Policy” aimed at protecting athletes, particularly women and minors, from harassment and abuse, in line with the Protection of Women from Sexual Harassment (POSH) Act of 2013. The establishment of Ethics Commissions and Dispute Resolution Commissions at various levels will ensure transparency and fairness in sports governance.
The creation of an Appellate Sports Tribunal is another notable provision, aimed at expediting the resolution of sports-related disputes, reducing the reliance on civil courts. (ANI)
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