National Sports Policy 2001 approved

The Union Cabinet on Tuesday approved the National Sports Policy 2001 to encourage "broad-basing" of sports and achieving excellence in performance, according to Rural Development minister M Venkaiah Naidu.

Briefing reporters after the meeting, Venkaiah Naidu recalled that a National Sports Policy had been adopted in 1984, followed by a National Education Policy, two years later. But, he pointed out, many of the objectives of these previous policies remained unrealised, which is why the government decided to formulate the National Sports Policy 2001.

According to Naidu, this policy was formulated after extensive consultations with the states and Union territories, the Indian Olympic Association, national sports federations, the Sports Authority of India, agencies handling sports and eminent persons in the field.

He listed the following points as the highlights of the policy:

Upgradation and development of infrastructure,
Support to the national sports federations and appropriate bodies,
Strengthening of scientific and coaching support to sports,
Incentives to sportspersons,
Enhanced participation of women, tribals and rural youth,
Involvement of the corporate sector in sports promotion,
Creation of greater awareness among the public.

The minister also said the government's plan to shift sports from the state to the concurrent list is being actively pursued.