THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala Sports Policy 2015, which was submitted to the chief minister on Monday, has directly and unabashedly cited “Olympic medal” as its holy grail.
And to achieve what has eluded even greats like P. T. Usha and Anju Bobby George, the policy envisages state-of-the-art training facilities and financial security for sportspersons.
‘Sports for All’ and ‘Excellence in Sports’ are the two guiding slogans of the policy. The policy has recommended Rs 1 crore as cash money for an Olympic Gold medallist, and Rs 50 lakh for the coach of the winner.
Even participants at international events, and their coaches, will be offered cash incentives. This was announced by sports minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan here on Monday.
The policy had recommended Rs 10 lakh for a National Games gold medallist; and Rs 1 lakh for a school nationals winner.
The policy, for the first time, adopts a realistic approach towards sports development. Sports science and modern technology will not be employed for all sports.
It will be restricted to nine events where Malayali sportspersons have a high chance of bagging a medal. They are: athletics, swimming, badminton, volleyball, cycling, fencing, canoeing and kayaking, rowing and shooting.
As for medium-potential sports, events like football that are hugely popular but in which the state’s sportsmen have not been able to achieve international standards, attempt will be made to improve national performance. These events are: football, basketball, tennis, taekwondo, handball, hockey, wrestling, table tennis, weightlifting, judo and archery.
Then there are low-priority sports like lawn tennis, which are popular in the state but have not produced quality athletes.
The policy has also recommended the setting up of a Kerala State Sports Service, to create an elite pool of sports administrators.
