It will be a game changing moment for Indian sport: Neha Shalini Dua
By SHRI RAM SHAW
NEW DELHI: Over 1,000 Kabaddi players are here at Connaught Place battling for glory. The two-day contest has been organized by Bharatiya Janta Party (Yuva Morcha) at Charkha Museum to promote Khelo India campaign.
Kabaddi teams have sent their talent scouts here, hoping to discover unpolished gems who could eventually turn their own fortunes further. Khelo India players are typically absorbed to train with the main team so that they learn on the job. As they play more, they will improve.
Present at the venue as the chief guest, BJP spokesperson Neha Shalini Dua met and motivated the young champions. She said, “Delhi as a venue is very apt since the culture of sports is so strong here. We have a huge number of talented athletes who are performing very well and all they need is the right opportunities.”
Enthralled by the high quality contest, she further said, “It will be a game changing moment for Indian sport. It’s an opportunity for sports to regain precedence in our sporting system.”
Neha also gave out his congratulations to all who are participating. “The duel has always been exciting. These scouts are present in every to scoop out the potential hidden gems and give them proper exposure. The next generation of Kabaddi players will be emerging from this,” she added.
She also mentioned about some inspirational events and stories that came out from the games, like 17 weightlifters from the KIYG 2021 have been selected to represent India at the upcoming Asian Youth and Junior Championship 2022, scheduled in Tashkent from July 15 to 26.
Hoping to see the Khelo India events take place again in a few months’ time, Neha added, “We really want the Khelo India Youth Games and the University Games to take place again between November and March so that the athletes get a chance again to showcase their talent.”
“Over the years, talented sportspersons of the country have made themselves, their families and the entire country proud with their performances in various sports on different platforms. The talent and performance of all these players is a reflection of the ever-increasing potential of 21st century India on the world stage,” she said.
Neha further said, “Today the hopes and aspirations of the young players of the country are forming the basis of decisions and policies. Promotion of sports in new education policy emphasises on building modern sports infrastructure. The synergy of modern technology is creating a rich sports culture in India today. From the identification, selection and training of talent in the field of sports to the sporting needs of the players, the government is with the country’s talented youth at every step. It is our wish that our youth keep raising the honor and respect of the country while giving flight to their spirits in the playground.”
For making Kabaddi popular, the Government has taken following initiatives / measures:
(i) The sports facilities of Sports Authority of India (SAI) and Lakshmibai National Institute of Physical Education, Gwalior and Guwahati have been made available free of cost for sports including Kabaddi for organising training programmes and sporting events.
(ii) Inclusion of Kabaddi in Khelo India Youth Games and Khelo India University Games.
(iii) 126 athletes (74 boys and 52 girls) of Kabaddi have been selected under Talent Search and Development vertical of Khelo India Scheme for Long Term Athlete Development Programme.
(iv) Coaching of sportspersons of Kabaddi discipline in SAI facilities.
(v) Grant of requisite permission to the organizers of various Kabaddi leagues.
Further, for promotion and development of Kabaddi, the Youth Affairs and Sports Ministry is supplementing the efforts of the Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India by providing support for training and competitive exposure within country and abroad.
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p style=”text-align: justify;”>Inclusion of any sport discipline in the Olympic Games is decided by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Among other things, IOC has prescribed that a sport discipline must be governed by an International Federation which undertakes to follow the rules of the Olympic Charter and it must also be practised widely across the world and meet various criteria. It is for the International Kabaddi Federation to take required steps for inclusion of Kabaddi in Olympic Games.