KOCHI: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s announcement on Friday via the Union Budget that the government will set up a National Sports Education Board under its flagship Khelo India scheme to “popularise sports at all levels” was readily acknowledged by prominent sports personalities in the country. A majority of them urged the government to be proactive in its implementation though.
“The government is committed to expand Khelo India scheme and to provide all necessary financial support. To popularise sports at all levels a National Sports Education Board for development of sportspersons would be set up under Khelo India scheme (launched in October 2017),” the minister said in her Budget speech.
Former Indian men’s football team captain Baichung Bhutia termed the initiative impressive but said it requires a massive effort to unify the various stakeholders. “It is definitely a good initiative but in sports very often the Federations and sports departments are not unified,” said Bhutia.
The iconic football striker believes efforts must be streamlined from the district level to achieve the desired outcome.
Bhutia’s views were echoed by member of Indian men’s hockey team P. R. Sreejesh, who himself is employed as chief sports organiser with the Kerala government’s Education Department. While lauding the relevance of the Khelo India scheme and the proposed NSEB, Sreejesh suggested the ministry should widen the benefits of the project to not just players but coaches at the grassroot level.
“We bring in top quality coaches in various sports but we must also make sure that our domestic coaches are developed to the next level. Only when we have quality coaches at the grassroots level can we identify talent and guide them accordingly,” Sreejesh said.
Olympic boxer Akhil Kumar, who is also a national observer for the sport, is confident the initiative will not just popularise sports but generate awareness about its benefits. “Khelo India has been successful and if sport is made part of education it will generate a lot of awareness,” Akhil said.
“It will benefit sports as many in India aren’t aware of events except big ones (like Olympics). Also combining sports with education will promote a healthy lifestyle. I am doing duty nowadays and I see lot of crime happens, especially in the evenings, which can be brought come down if youth are engaged in sports,” Akhil, who is employed in the Haryana Police as DSP, added.
Anju Bobby George, India’s first athletics medallist at the World Championship and former Table Tennis international Kamlesh Mehta felt the programme had the potential to tap Olympians.“Honestly, this is the only platform that can provide unheralded talents in the country a path to the highest level,” said former long-jumper Anju, who emphasised the need for “proper groundwork and sound implementation”.
Mehta stressed on the role played by his school. “Love for sports starts at school and Olympic champions can be made from there,” he said.
