The Hindu : Sport : One-day seminar on sports policy held

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Apr 27, 2005

Sport

Sport - Sports : General

One-day seminar on sports policy held

Special Correspondent

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A broad consensus on the various initiatives to be undertaken for the development of sports in Kerala was evolved in the one-day seminar on the State Sports Policy and Development Priorities, organised by the Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs here on Tuesday.

After hearing out the opinions expressed by a host of senior officials, sportspersons and mediapersons, the participants generally agreed that the Government ought to commit itself to include sports as part of the educational curriculum in order to help the youth maintain physical fitness and draw them further into the world of competitive sports.

The seminar also expressed several other practical suggestions such as the immediate upgradation of infrastructural facilities across the State, completion of unfinished projects and if possible the establishment of a play field and a gymnasium in each of the panchayats in the State.

Further, it was also pointed out that concerted efforts should be taken by the various agencies involved in grooming talent at the grassroots-level to help talented sportspersons progress to National and international stardom. Likewise, it was also felt that the current budgetary support of Rs. 7.50 crores to the Kerala Sports Council was quite meagre and this should be raised to at least Rs. 20 crores or more in the coming financial year.

The need for a periodic assessment of the various Government policies regarding sport was also highlighted at the meeting.

Some suggestions

Initiating the discussions, the veteran journalist, Babu Mather, appealed to the Government to appoint an expert committee to study the utilisation of the various stadiums across the State. He also urged the authorities to organise refresher courses and training programmes for the coaches and trainers so that they could keep themselves abreast of the latest trends in coaching.

S. Pazhania Pillai, former secretary, Kerala Athletics Association, highlighted the need for a definite plan to take Kerala sport forward while V. Gabriel, former Joint Director (sports), stressed the importance of mass participation in sports and games, particularly at the school-level. S.S. Hasarani (principal, LNCPE), S. Rajiv (secretary, Kerala Aquatic Association) and G. Kishore (Regional Director, SAI, Bangalore) also made elaborate presentations highlighting the various points to the included in the State Sports Policy document.

A mind open to ideas

Summing up the discussion, the State Sports Minister, Dominic Presentation, said the Government had an open mind for the development of the sports and games in the State. "We are willing to incorporate any fresh idea into our Sports Policy document, provided it benefits our efforts to help the country gain more laurels in the international arena. The Government, further, would also like the KSC and other sports associations to maintain its autonomous identity."

Mr. Presentation said that the Government could at best remain only a facilitator as the real work on the field was to be carried out by the KSC and the various sports associations. Admitting to the fact that resources were an impediment to the development of sports and games in the State, the Minister also said every effort would be made to enhance the budgetary support to the KSC and other allied agencies.

C. Mohanachandran, KSC president, Mohammed Riyazuddin Principal Secretary, Sports and Youth Affairs, and G.J. Teggi, Director, Sports and Youth Affairs, led the discussions.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Sport