Centre tables new sports policy

The government on Wednesday tabled a new national sports policy in Parliament, aiming to achieve the twin objective of 'broad-basing and achieving excellence in sports at the international level', while terming the 1984 policy as a failure.

Stressing the need for the new policy, the Centre said, "Over the years, it has transpired that even as the National Sports Policy, 1984, encompasses various facets in respect of encouraging sports in the country, implementation of the same is not complete and leaves much to be desired. The goals and objectives of the policy are yet to be realised."

The new policy envisages effective integration of sports and physical education with the educational curriculum, and suggested inclusion of sports in the Concurrent List and introduction of appropriate legislation for guiding all matters involving national and inter-state jurisidiction.

"While the broad-basing of sports will, primarily, remain a responsibility of the State governments, the Union government will actively supplement their efforts in this direction and for tapping talent, including in the rural and tribal areas," the policy said.

It said the Centre and the Sports Authority of India, in association with the Indian Olympic Association, will focus on the objective of achieving excellence at the national and international level.