Khelo India is to create sporting culture, says Sports Minister

With the aim of creating a sports culture in the country, Sports minister and 2004 Olympic silver medalist Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore launched the anthem of Khelo India School Games, an ambitious project of promoting sports among school children.

As quoted by ET, Rathore explains that to bridge the gap between potential and podium, it is the best possible way to do. He said, “For 1,000 sportspersons, we will cover and (we expect) others to follow suit. Similarly awareness. So, through technology, we will bring awareness as to what exercise one should do and other things. Right now we will start telling them about the young children. All the parents want their children to grow bigger and stronger.”

By creating the database of 1000 athletes under the regular monitor of performance, Khelo India funds Rs 5 lakh per each young athlete per annum. Funds will be generated for them only when the hard work is reflected.

Talking about the proper infrastructure for huge number of athletes in the country, Rathore said, “Besides the enough infrastructure and training facilities we have, we are creating more by funding schools for infrastructure. The idea is to make them more efficient and we are already working on that.”

Rathore explains why Khelo India is the promising scheme beside already existed unsuccessful TOP scheme. “See, medals can't come overnight. There are other countries which have been preparing for many years now. It requires a systemic change. This is what we are trying to change. Unless you change things at the grassroots level, change will not be visible at the top. Even for TOPS, we have no dearth of funding. They can train wherever they want to, with whichever coach they want to and whichever country they want to.”

“We are also bringing the scientific support for them. Literally, everything is being done for them to excel. So, our efforts are quite visible. People don't have to believe with their eyes closed. We have brought sports to the people. This is happening for the first time. The funding of 1,000 athletes every year will be happening in front of your eyes,” he added.

“We are never completely ready for any tournament. Preparation is a continuous process. But I expect our athletes to perform at their very best (at the CWG and Asian Games),” he concluded.