The Union Sports Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya expressed admiration about the work being done by various States in terms of sports development.
In his regular interaction with the media, the Minister said that it was a very fruitful meeting at the Kanha Shanti Vanam in Hyderabad, when 18 State sports ministers and numerous other stakeholders, attended the “Chintan Shivir”, presenting their best practices, and conveying ideas to take Indian sports forward over the next decade.
The Minister said that all the relevant points would be compiled and presented to the Prime Minister. He also insisted that the immediate requirement was better management of available sports facilities across the country, even as measures were being taken to have more sports infrastructure through public-private partnership, also.
Touching on the revocation of the suspension of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), the Minister said that it was done to ensure the entry of Indian wrestlers in the Asian Championships, the World Championships and eventually the 2028 Olympics.
“The recognition was important, as the future of Indian wrestling was at stake,” said the Sports Minister, even as he listed the various reasons, including the concern expressed by the Delhi High Court.
The minister also stated that the Government would soon resolve the problems in various other National federations that are being run by ad-hoc committees.
Talking about the measures taken to get back the athletes who have moved away from sports despite getting jobs in Government organisations on sports quota, the Minister insisted that even if 400 to 500 out of about 25,000 athletes employed on sports quota, return to serve sports, it would help Indian sports in a big way.
Published – March 11, 2025 06:37 pm IST