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Sports census on government anvil

The Federal government plans to record through an official census the names of all sportspersons in the country, Federal Minister for Youth Services, Culture and Sports Anantkumar said in Hubli on Saturday.

He said the census, to be taken up from district level on in 15 days, would be completed in two months. It would record the names of the sportsmen in the age group of 15 to 35, to help them secure recognition in getting jobs and facilities. Hereafter the government itself would issue sports recognition certificates, he added.

He said the union government was seriously thinking about making physical education compulsory in primary and high schools in the country. His ministry was also trying to get the clearance of the Cabinet to bring in a legislation in the Parliament to make physical education compulsory. Consultations with the states would be held in this regard soon, he added.

Stating that the country had a bright future in the weightlifting and shooting disciplines, he said he would hold individual consultations with the sportsmen now now undergoing training at New Delhi in prepartion for the Sydney Olympics, and also discuss with sports experts and implement a special programme by December 15.

Reiterating that the new sports policy would be formulated in 100 days to broadbase sports, rural sports, women's sports and sports for the physically handicapped, he said these were thrust areas which would be given more stress in the policy.

He said as part of the policy, a national sports development fund with the help of public sector units and private industries would be floated to develop sports infrastruture like building, equipment modernisation, research and development in sports and private-public participation in the sports events. The quest for excellence and rehabilitation of sports person would also be considered in the policy.

He said he would talk to the Indian Olympic Association about its activities, and even consider administrative changes if need be.