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Centre must provide resources for `khel abhiyan': Rajasthan

Special Correspondent

`It would revive traditional games in rural areas'

JAIPUR: Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje has called upon the Centre to provide adequate resources, facilities and administrative infrastructure for the Panchayat Yuva Khel Abhiyan proposed to be implemented by the Union Panchayati Raj and Youth Affairs Ministry as part of the 11th Five Year Plan.

In a letter addressed to Union Panchayati Raj Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar, Ms. Raje said the 9,188 village panchayats and 10,613 youth clubs across the State were willing to participate in the execution of the ambitious drive aimed at promoting the role of youngsters in popularising sports activities.

She said that the Abhiyan would especially help revive traditional games, such as kabaddi, satolia, wrestling, kho kho, camel race and bullock cart race in the rural areas.

Significant steps

She said the Rajasthan Sports Council and Tourism Department had taken significant steps during the last two years to promote these games.

The Chief Minister said though almost all primary, secondary and senior secondary schools in the State had sports grounds, the facility was missing in the village panchayats.

She requested for allocation of funds to fulfil the material component requirement for the purpose, and said the infrastructure for sports grounds could be developed by dovetailing with other regular works.

Ms. Raje said the Abhiyan should get full Central assistance, which could be supplied directly to panchayats.

She said the State Government's Sports Department would work in close association with the Panchayati Raj Department for ensuring success of the drive.

Committees to be set up

While suggesting the appointment of village-level workers for coordinating the activities under the Abhiyan, Ms. Raje said the State Government would establish committees at the three tiers of Panchayati Raj to make recommendations for utilising the Central assistance.

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