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Tag: Sports Ministry

  • Sports Minister lauds b’casters, other stakeholders in promoting sports

    Sports Minister lauds b’casters, other stakeholders in promoting sports

    NEW DELHI: India’s Sports Minister Vijay Goel said on Wednesday that digital media broadcasting will play a critical role in bringing about change in sports broadcasting in India but broadcasters must also focus on how sports as a product is delivered to audiences in rural areas so as to popularise the culture of sports.

    Addressing the CII Big Picture Summit 2016 here, he said increasing penetration of internet, mobile devices and cheaper data services, especially in rural areas, will prove a game changer in this direction.

    Interacting with the panellists on a session on `Sports Broadcasting in India: A Game Changer’, which meandered most of its time period all over the place despite having good representation from various segments of sports broadcasting and marketing, the Sports Minister said media has helped promote sports in the country and has also given a fillip to less popular sports like kabaddi.

    A majority of sports leagues have been made possible, including football, kabaddi, wrestling, hockey, tennis and badminton, by persistent efforts by various stakeholders, leading to cascading effects on tourism and infrastructure sectors, Goel, added.

    Pointing out that slick packaging of the sports leagues as entertainment by TV channels in India has been a game changer, the Minister said, “This is reflected in more than 450 million viewers of Indian Super League (football) with the most interesting revelation being the Pro Kabaddi League with a viewership of more than 500 million.”

    To make sports more catchy and interesting for an average man, some games can also learn few tricks from cricket’s bosses who invented shorter formats of the game to keep the viewer and on-field spectators hooked on, while creating a new business model.

    However, the Minister did admit that the sports as a culture is yet to percolate down to every Indian home and to rectify it an all out effort has to be made not only by the government, but also the people of the country.

    “Playgrounds in schools and residential areas are being trimmed because of scarce availability of land and such actions don’t help,” Goel said, adding the government is committed to working towards building a culture of sports and improving infrastructure but all stakeholders, including corporate and sponsors, must work towards this common objective.

  • Sports Minister lauds b’casters, other stakeholders in promoting sports

    Sports Minister lauds b’casters, other stakeholders in promoting sports

    NEW DELHI: India’s Sports Minister Vijay Goel said on Wednesday that digital media broadcasting will play a critical role in bringing about change in sports broadcasting in India but broadcasters must also focus on how sports as a product is delivered to audiences in rural areas so as to popularise the culture of sports.

    Addressing the CII Big Picture Summit 2016 here, he said increasing penetration of internet, mobile devices and cheaper data services, especially in rural areas, will prove a game changer in this direction.

    Interacting with the panellists on a session on `Sports Broadcasting in India: A Game Changer’, which meandered most of its time period all over the place despite having good representation from various segments of sports broadcasting and marketing, the Sports Minister said media has helped promote sports in the country and has also given a fillip to less popular sports like kabaddi.

    A majority of sports leagues have been made possible, including football, kabaddi, wrestling, hockey, tennis and badminton, by persistent efforts by various stakeholders, leading to cascading effects on tourism and infrastructure sectors, Goel, added.

    Pointing out that slick packaging of the sports leagues as entertainment by TV channels in India has been a game changer, the Minister said, “This is reflected in more than 450 million viewers of Indian Super League (football) with the most interesting revelation being the Pro Kabaddi League with a viewership of more than 500 million.”

    To make sports more catchy and interesting for an average man, some games can also learn few tricks from cricket’s bosses who invented shorter formats of the game to keep the viewer and on-field spectators hooked on, while creating a new business model.

    However, the Minister did admit that the sports as a culture is yet to percolate down to every Indian home and to rectify it an all out effort has to be made not only by the government, but also the people of the country.

    “Playgrounds in schools and residential areas are being trimmed because of scarce availability of land and such actions don’t help,” Goel said, adding the government is committed to working towards building a culture of sports and improving infrastructure but all stakeholders, including corporate and sponsors, must work towards this common objective.

  • Sports recognised as infrastructure sector, eligible for private investment

    Sports recognised as infrastructure sector, eligible for private investment

    NEW DELHI: Alarmed by India’s performance in the recent Rio Olympics, the Government appears to have pressed the panic button: which may help sports persons on the long run.

    After appointing two committees – one for pointing out why India failed, and the other to prepare for the next two Olympics, the Government included Sports in the harmonized master list of infrastructure sub-sectors.

    The proposal was mooted by the Sports Ministry so that the sports sector becomes eligible for obtaining long term financial support from banks and other financial institutions on the same principle as is available to other infrastructure projects.

    The Finance Ministry after a series of meetings and discussions with different agencies including Reserve Bank of India has decided that sports infrastructure will be included under the Harmonized Master List of Infrastructure Sub sectors and it “includes the provision of Sports Stadia and Infrastructure for Academies for Training / Research in Sports and Sports-related activities”

    In this connection Ministry of Finance, Department of Economic Affairs, had issued a Gazette Notification dated 9 September 2016.

    This inclusion would encourage private investment in a public good which has socio-economic externalities in a country with young population. It will also bolster investment in sports infrastructure sector which will contribute to the economy and help in promotion of health and fitness of the people of this country as also provide opportunities for employment in the new and exciting sectors. It goes without saying that investment of the private sector will widen the platform from where the country can become a sporting power in future.

  • Sports recognised as infrastructure sector, eligible for private investment

    Sports recognised as infrastructure sector, eligible for private investment

    NEW DELHI: Alarmed by India’s performance in the recent Rio Olympics, the Government appears to have pressed the panic button: which may help sports persons on the long run.

    After appointing two committees – one for pointing out why India failed, and the other to prepare for the next two Olympics, the Government included Sports in the harmonized master list of infrastructure sub-sectors.

    The proposal was mooted by the Sports Ministry so that the sports sector becomes eligible for obtaining long term financial support from banks and other financial institutions on the same principle as is available to other infrastructure projects.

    The Finance Ministry after a series of meetings and discussions with different agencies including Reserve Bank of India has decided that sports infrastructure will be included under the Harmonized Master List of Infrastructure Sub sectors and it “includes the provision of Sports Stadia and Infrastructure for Academies for Training / Research in Sports and Sports-related activities”

    In this connection Ministry of Finance, Department of Economic Affairs, had issued a Gazette Notification dated 9 September 2016.

    This inclusion would encourage private investment in a public good which has socio-economic externalities in a country with young population. It will also bolster investment in sports infrastructure sector which will contribute to the economy and help in promotion of health and fitness of the people of this country as also provide opportunities for employment in the new and exciting sectors. It goes without saying that investment of the private sector will widen the platform from where the country can become a sporting power in future.

  • Sports Ministry sets up working group to update & revise Sports Code

    Sports Ministry sets up working group to update & revise Sports Code

    NEW DELHI: A working group has been set up by the Sports Ministry headed by retired Delhi High Judge CK Mahajan to review the National Sports Development Code of India (NSDCI) and suggest changes.

     

    In a report to be submitted in three months, the Group will also examine the NSDCI from both sports governance and legal angles and fine-tune/revise the same with the purpose of making it more precise and succinct.

     

    It will make specific recommendations on preparation of Electoral College and streamlining of State/District bodies.

     

    The Government has been issuing various instructions from time to time and taking several initiatives to ensure transparency and good governance in the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and in various sports federations of the country.

     

    All the orders, notifications, instructions and circulars issued till 2001 were amalgamated with necessary modifications, into one comprehensive NSDCI 2011, which came into force with immediate effect from 31 January that year.

     

    Further amendments to the various provisions of NSDCI need to be re-examined to ensure suitable amendments to relevant provisions as a lot of developments have taken place in sports sector necessitating more accountability and transparency in the functioning of the sports bodies.

     

    Members of the Group are lawyer Pallavi Shroff, former hockey captain Ajitpal Singh, Arjuna awardee for table tennis Indu Puri, sports journalist Neeru Bhatia, Youth Affairs & Sports Ministry joint secretary Onkar Kedia, and Ministry Advisor Lt Gen Rajiv Bhalla. The Secretary of the Sports Authority of India will be the member secretary.

  • Govt sets up All India Council of Sports to assist Sports Ministry

    Govt sets up All India Council of Sports to assist Sports Ministry

    NEW DELHI: An ‘All India Council of Sports’ has been set up by the Government to – among other things – popularise sports amongst the youth as a way of life and increasing outreach of sports to rural and tribal areas, areas affected by Left Wing Extremism, North East and Jammu & Kashmir.

     

    The council will be an advisory body for the Youth Affairs and Sports Ministry but its advice will not be binding and obligatory. The council will organise national, international conferences, seminars, symposia etc, for promotion of sports and games in the country.

     

    The Council will be headed by a president in the rank of Minister of State and will include four Members of Parliament, sports personalities, coaches, sports experts, sports administrators, DG SAI, DG NADA, Vice Chancellor of LNIPE, officials from Sports Ministry, representatives from National Sports Federations, Indian Olympic Association, corporate bodies and NGOs. Appointments of the president and members of the Council other than ex-officio members shall be made by the Government.

     

    The Council will meet from time to time, at least once in a quarter, and deliberate on matters relating to the promotion and development of sports and games in the country. 

     

    Among other things, the Council will ensure implementation of policies for promotion of sports and games in the country; deal with matters relating to promotion of inclusiveness in sports with special focus on women, differently-abled, tribals etc; preventing drug abuse in sports, fraud of age and sexual harassment of women in sports; bringing professionalism, transparency and good governance in functioning of National Sports Federations; find ways and means to raise resources for the promotion of sports and games in the country; promotion of sports sciences and sports medicine; augment sports infrastructure and ensuring its proper utilization; deal with matters relating to participation and performance of sportspersons and teams in international sporting events and issues arising out of match fixing and other malpractices in competitive sports; find  ways and means to promote indigenous games in the country; early identification of sports talent and nurturing of the identified talent; integration of sports in educational curriculum in schools, colleges and universities; and suggest welfare measures for sportspersons. 

  • Private sector should partner with the government to encourage sports

    Private sector should partner with the government to encourage sports

    NEW DELHI: Sports secretary Ajit M Sharan of the Youth Affairs and Sports Ministry has urged the private sector to participate and partner with the government and the apex chamber to promote sports in the country.

     
    The stakeholders need to actively engage at all levels to improve India’s ranking as a sporting nation.

     
    He said the government is launching a National Talent Search Scheme to scout for sports talent in various schools and institutions across the country. The National Institute of Sports Sciences and Medicine (NISSM), is already in place to support high performance of sports persons and integrate sciences and medicine into the training of elite sports persons and the curriculum of sport coaching in the country.

                                          
    Sharan was inaugurating ‘India Sports 2014’at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium. He released a knowledge paper ‘Business of Sports – Aiming Higher….. Reaching Further!’ The paper looks at the sports industry and makes predictions for the upcoming decade. The paper provides information about the state of play and trends in the market for sports business in India.

     
    The three-day sports event on the theme ‘Making India as a Sporting Nation’ is organised by FICCI in association with Sports Authority of India. This focus is on strategic dialogues to bring together senior decision makers and renowned Indian and international sports industry players to deliberate on profitable promotion and grassroots development of sports in the country.

     
    Sharan also said that the setting up of Sector Skills Council in Sports is a big step towards making India a sporting nation in future. The council will devise ways to reduce skills gap and shortage improve productivity, hone the skills of the sector work force and improve learning.

     
    He said sports in India has witnessed stagnation in the last few decades. The challenges in the sector are numerous but some of which call for immediate attention such as development of a structured system at the grass root level to engage young boys and girls in the age group of 8-10 years in various sports; identifying and nurturing young talent based on their performance, talent and calibre; providing professional training, sporting equipment and wholesome nourishment to the identified sports persons; organizing regular competitions of international standard at the domestic level to measure the performance of local sports persons; setting up sports science and sports medicine centres to support the sports fraternity and providing alternative viable vocational career options to players to ensure their livelihood.

     
    FICCI Sports Committee chairman and Tata Metaliks MD Sanjiv Paul said with the support of MYAS, FICCI has finally received the approval for setting up Sector Skills Council in Sports, Physical Education, Fitness and Leisure sector. According to a latest study, this sector will require more than 4.3 million support personnel in various roles in sports in the coming 10 years.

     
    Paul thanked the Ministry for guiding FICCI on the issue of ‘demand of Industry Status to Sports Sector’. After FICCI’s representation on industry status to sports, there was a committee setup under the chairmanship of Director General, Sports Authority of India, where FICCI prepared a report on ‘granting infrastructure status to Sports Sector’.

     
    Deloitte LLP UK sports business group consultant Richard battle,said that there were numerous ways to promote sports. One of the most commercially successful models in India has been the Indian Premier League in cricket, which has phenomenally thrived. India now faces the challenge of replicating this model for other sports.

     
    Sahara India Pariwa publich affairs and communication VP Abhijit Sarka said that India has the talent to be amongst the top sporting countries in the world. It is also recognized that a lot more needs to be done, especially in the development of sports at the grassroots level where states have an important role to play if India has to reap the advantage of the positive momentum and claim its rightful place amongst the top sporting countries. The private sector should come forward and participate more proactively.

     
    FICCI Sports Committee co-chairman and Coca-Cola India public affair and corporate communication head Deepak Jolly said that there was both hope and optimism to make India a sporting nation. There is a long way to go but efforts are being made and India is moving in the right direction to achieve its goal. He added that India has done well in games and sports such as chess, which are primarily mind games. Sports requiring physical strength and stamina still need to be encouraged adequately for India to perform well at the international level.

     

  • India Sports 2014 to promote sports among youngsters

    India Sports 2014 to promote sports among youngsters

    NEW DELHI: The Youth Affairs & Sports Ministry and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry today launched the ‘India Sports 2014’ at the 5th Global Sports Summit in the presence Ministry Joint Secretary Dr. G S G Ayyangar.

     

    India Sports 2014’ would be organised at the iconic National Stadium and Federation House, FICCI. The event would be an umbrella programme, focusing on all aspects of sports and would bring the entire sports fraternity on one platform.

     

    The first edition would not only serve as a platform for the Indian sports industry to showcase their strength to the Indian and international sports fraternity but would also act as a catalyst in promoting sports among the youth.

     

    The event would include India Sports Expo 2014, an international exhibition on sports sector at the national stadium; TURF 2014, an international conference on sports sector; reverse buyer-seller meet by sports goods export promotion council; networking dinner and concurrent sports activities and tournaments.

     

    At the sports summit, Ayyangar spoke about the details of the ‘Scheme for Identifying and Nurturing Sports Talent in the Country’. Under the scheme, which has been taken up on a pilot basis, talents will be scouted and selected from the present Rajeev Gandhi Krida Abhiyan annual competitions; these sportspersons will be called Young Talent (YT) and they will be specially trained by Physical Education Teachers at every District Level Sports Center.

     

    A District Sports School (DLSS) will be set up in every district in the country in the next ten years. These schools will be set up as public private partnership except in remote and disturbed areas. In such districts, the existing Navodaya Schools are proposed to be upgraded and where it is not possible, new institutions will be set up.

     

    He said that the Ministry will supervise the training in sports and provide sports scholarships and the recurring expenses. The young talent (YT) will be assigned specific disciplines through a scientific process of determination, through a rigorous training programme and participation YT will be identified for center of excellence and YT who excel will be treated as high performers and given admission to a Centre of Excellence (COX).

     

    There will be approximately 25 centres for excellence. Twelve existing SAI centres will be upgraded. Thirteen new centres will be developed and funded by SAI. However, land for such centres will be provided by the State Government free of cost. These centers will be run by SAI.

     

    On the occasion, two reports, ‘Best 25 Ideas’ Sports Start up’s Business in India and ‘Vision 2014: Sector Skills Council, Way Forward’ were released.

     

    A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was also signed and exchanged between FICCI and the Southern Institute of Technology (SIT) in New Zealand to launch the Level 3 course in India under the SIT-John Wright Scholarship programme, which is recognised by NZQA to help athletes not only to harness their existing capability but also to provide an opportunity in getting higher qualification courses and good opportunity in New Zealand.

     

    FICCI will help SIT in connecting with premiere institutes as a partner for launching this pilot course. This course will be 100% sponsored by the John Wright – SIT Scholarship programme.  The John Wright – SIT Scholarship programme is founded by John Wright, Former New Zealand Cricketer and India Cricket Team Coach (2000-05).

     

    At the successful completion of this programme, students will have the required competencies to function successfully and effectively at operational levels within the sports training sector. A graduating student could be expected to undertake employment in areas such as coaching/retail sectors, or continue on to further study in Diploma in Spord Recreat antion, Diploma in Sport and Exercise (Level 5), Diploma in Sport and Exercise (Level 6) or Bachelor of Sport and Exercise in New Zealand.

     

    New Zealand High Commissioner Jan Henderson said the certificate obtained under the John Wright – SIT Scholarship programme will help students gain skills and knowledge for working or for further training in the sports training sector. The content gives athletes and coaches the knowledge to allow themselves and others to achieve their potential. The programme has a strong focus on sport psychology, nutrition and exercise prescription and finding out how the body becomes stronger, fitter and faster when stressed by exercise.

     

    New Zealand is passionate about sports and was happy to partner with India in the field of sports. Sports was a key pillar for strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries. She added that early next year, New Zealand will host the Indian Cricket Team and will co-host the Cricket World Cup in 2015, she said.

     

    FICCI President Naina Lal Kidwai represented to the Ministry the need to grant industry status to sports, and said that a committee under the chairmanship of Director General, Sports Authority of India (SAI) and FICCI prepared a report on ‘Granting infrastructure Status to Sports Sector’.

     

    She said, “It is a proud moment for FICCI to note that under new Companies Act 2013, sports infrastructure is part of ‘infrastructure facilities’ and ‘infrastructure projects’. Besides, there is a specific mention of sports related businesses to be registered as a type of ‘limited company’. FICCI is also closely coordinating with National Skills Development Corporation for setting up Sector Skills Council in Sports, Physical Education, Fitness and Leisure sector. According to our latest study, this sector will require more than 43 lakhs support personnel in various roles in sports by 2022.”

     

    FICCI Sports Committee Chairman and Managing Director, Tata Metaliks, Sanjiv Paul said that the sports sector is marching ahead as one of the fastest growing sector of the economy. The size of the sports industry is increasing, employment avenues are opening and money is coming in from all quarters. The exchange of ideas TURF 2013 should lead to the flourishing of sports business in India.

     

    He said that this year an SME-Academia-Investors Forum in Sports (SAI-FIS) is planned during TURF 2013 a collaborative effort amongst between FICCI, Indian Venture Capitalists Association (IVCA) and All India Council of Physical Education (AICPE). The objective is to stimulate SME-Academia-Investor partnership as it is critical for growth of sports sector in general and the stakeholders in particular.

     

     FICCI Sports Committee co-chairman Abhijit Sarkar and head-corporate communications, Sahara India Pariwar, said that the start-ups have added significant value in creating a sports culture across the country. They are the next generation of big corporations, who are supporting the growth of the sports industry in their own unique way. They are not only creating a brilliant ecosystem for budding talent to hone their talent and showcase their skills but are also creating employment opportunities for many others who want to develop career in sports.

     

    FICCI, director general, Arbind Prasad said, “FICCI welcomes The Prevention of Sporting Fraud Bill, 2013 to combat frauds in relation to domestic national and international sporting event developed after extensive consultation between Sports and Law Ministry. To aid the Ministry’s efforts in this direction, FICCI had organised a conference on ‘Regulating Sports Betting and Sports Law’. In this conference, experts suggested that the government should set up an Independent Regulatory Commission to study the various aspects of betting in-depth and come out with solutions to eliminate bookies and make sports betting fair.”

  • Hockey wizard Dhyan Chand’s name suggested for Bharat Ratna by Sports Ministry

    Hockey wizard Dhyan Chand’s name suggested for Bharat Ratna by Sports Ministry

    NEW DELHI: The Sports Ministry has recommended the name of the late Major Dhyan Chand who is considered among the greatest hockey players of all time for the top national civilian honour, the Bharat Ratna.

     

    This was revealed in Parliament today by Sports Minister Jitendra Singh who said the recommendation was for Dhyan Chand’s achievements in the field of sports.
    Dhyan Chand (29 August 1905 – 3 December 1979) was a field hockey player widely considered to be one of the greatest players of all time.

     

    Chand is most remembered for his goal-scoring feats and for his three Olympic gold medals (1928, 1932, and 1936) in field hockey, during an era where India was dominant in the sport.

     

    Known as “The Wizard” for his superb ball control, Chand played his final international match in 1948, having scored more than 400 goals during his international career.

     

    Born in Allahabad, he was the elder brother of another player Roop Singh. His father Sameshwar Dutt Singh was in the British Indian Army, and he played hockey in the army. Dhyan Chand had two brothers – Mool Singh, and Roop Singh. Because of Sameshwar Dutt’s numerous army transfers, the family had to move to different cities and so Chand had to terminate his education after only six years of schooling. The family finally settled in Jhansi. Being in the military, Dhyan’s father got a small piece of land for a house.

     

    Young Chand had no serious inclination towards sports, though he loved wrestling. He joined the Indian Army at the age of 16.

     

    Between 1922 and 1926, Chand exclusively played army hockey tournaments and regimental games. Chand was ultimately selected for the Indian Army team which was to tour New Zealand. The team won 18 matches, drew two and lost only one, receiving praise from all spectators. Following this, in the two Test matches against the New Zealand squad, the team won the first and narrowly lost the second. Returning to India, Chand was immediately promoted to Lance Naik.

     

    After successfully lobbying for reintroducing field hockey in the Olympics, the newly formed Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) made preparations to send its best possible team for the 1928 Amsterdam Olympics. In 1925, an Inter-Provincial Tournament was held to select India’s national field hockey team. Five teams participated in the inaugural nationals – United Provinces (UP), Punjab, Bengal, Rajputana, and Central Provinces. Chand got permission from the Army to play for the United Provinces team.

     

    In the 1928 Amsterdam Summer Olympics, the Indian team was put in the division A table, with Austria, Belgium, Denmark and Switzerland. On 17 May the Indian national hockey team made its Olympic debut against Austria, winning 6-0, with Chand scoring 3 goals. The next day India defeated Belgium 9-0; however Chand only scored once. On 20 May, Denmark lost to India 5-0, with Chand netting 3. Two days later, he scored 4 goals when India defeated Switzerland 6-0 in the semi-finals.

     

    The final match took place on 26 May, with India facing the home team of the Netherlands. The Indian team’s better players Feroze Khan, Ali Shaukat and Kher Singh were on the sick list and Chand himself was ill. However, even with a skeletal side, India managed to defeat the hosts 3-0 (with Singh scoring 2), and the Indian team won its country’s first Olympic gold medal. Keeper Richard Allen created a unique record of not conceding a single goal. Chand was the top scorer of the tournament by a large margin, scoring 14 goals in 5 matches.