Sports Ministry plans two-day Conclave to discuss future of Indian sports
The Union Sports Ministry has planned a two-day Conclave to bring together the national federations, sportspersons, coaches and corporate sector, to discuss the way forward for Indian sports.
Close on the heels of the vision document, approved as the National Sports Policy by the Union Cabinet, the government is expected to bring the Sports Bill, for better governance of sports.
It will also open the avenue for sports tribunal, for speedy justice, and quick disposal of disputes.
The judiciary will always be the last resort, and the sports tribunal, focused solely on sports matters, will attempt quick resolution.
READ | Indian delegation meets IOC officials for dialogue on hosting future Olympics
The government is also busy rephrasing the National Anti Doping Act after the previous proposal was rejected by the World Anti Doping Agency (WADA).
Meanwhile, Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya announced that the Khelo India Water Sports Festival would be hosted at the Dal Lake in Srinagar, from August 21 to 23.
Five sports – Kayaking and canoeing, rowing, water skiing, shikara race and dragon boat – will feature in the festival, expected to attract about 400 athletes from across the country.
“Like the Khelo India Beach Games in Diu, we want Khelo India to become more inclusive and reach out to every corner of the country,” said the minister.
Got inputs on procedure to follow for 2036 Olympics bid, says Ministry on Indian delegation’s Lausanne trip
The Indian delegation that travelled to Lausanne to discuss the country’s 2036 Olympic hosting bid with IOC officials despite a “pause” on the process has come back with valuable inputs on the procedures to follow going forward.
The delegation, which featured Gujarat’s minister of state for sports Harsh Sanghavi, Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President PT Usha and sports secretary Hari Ranjan Rao, held discussions with several IOC (International Olympic Committee) officials.
Usha also met new IOC President Kirsty Coventry during the two-day trip that ended on July 1.
A source in the sports ministry said the team has gained good insights.
“Even though there is a pause on the process but from our end, a letter of intent has been submitted (last year). The delegation met IOC officials and sought guidance for the way forward. It was more about understanding the procedure. There was no bid presentation as such,” the source said.
Coventry, in her first press conference after taking charge, announced a “pause and reflect” on the host selection process, saying that member countries were in favour of a detailed dialogue on what is the ideal time to announce a new host.
She said that a working group will assess the lessons from previous rights’ winners’ experiences and figure out a process that would be more acceptable to the member nations.
India is being seen a strong contender to host the Games in Ahmedabad, which is in process to prepare new infrastructure and upgrade the existing ones. The competition to India’s bid is likely to come from Saudi Arabia, Turkey and even Indonesia.
(inputs from PTI)
