Prime Minister Narendra Modi appreciated the recent initiative of Olympic Wrestler Bajrang Punia, under which Punia will visit Aarohi Model School located in Panipat, Haryana on the 23rd of December under Meet the Champion Program and will keep discussions on various topics from sports, physiques and balanced diet.
PM Modi, in his tweet, said, “This move will be interesting for children, and it will motivate them to pursue a career in the field of sports”. Bajrang Punia later tweeted in Hindi, “I’m delighted that I will be visiting Aarohi Model School in Panipat on the 23rd of December where I will discuss about sports, diet etc will kids”.
Earlier in December, Olympic Gold medalist Neeraj Chopra visited Sanskardham School in Ahmedabad. Neeraj launched a National Mission under which renowned athletes will visit schools across India and educate children about the importance of fitness, a balanced diet and sports.
Meet the Champion program is envisaged by PM Narendra Modi to enable all Olympians and Paralympian’s to interact with students in order to spread awareness about the importance of a balanced diet, fitness, sports etc. related matters. This program is administered by the Sports Authority of India and the Ministry of Education.
India posses’ great potential to reach new heights in the Sports sector. India is one of the youngest nations in the world. Out 65 per cent population is aged below 35, and around 30 per cent population is aged between 15-30 years of age. Despite having a demographic advantage, the Indian Sports sector is underdeveloped.
Social institutions like Families and Societies to Governments have lacked in their efforts to support the industry. Parents will hesitate to allow their children to pursue a career in sports. The sector is facing issues like lack of Government support, the regressive attitude of parents, the privation of encouragement by society etc.
Various recent initiatives of the Government of India (through the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Ministry of Education and their respective departments) have helped the sector reach new heights. National Sports Talent Contest Scheme aims to find talented youth between the age of 8-14 years from school to train them in scientific ways.
Nearly 1,000 athletes are being scientifically trained under this program, including 255 girls. There are 56 Training Center Scheme administered by the Sports Authority of India, which enables the State and Central Government to collaborate to train aspiring youth.
Almost 5,000 trainees are getting trained in centres located in various parts of the country. The scheme also aims to balance existing regional imbalances w.r.t. availability of sports infrastructures. Flagship Khelo India Campaign adopts a multi-pronged approach to develop the sector.
Under this initiative, various measures like Utilization, upgradation, creation of sports infrastructure, Talent search and development, Promotion of indigenous sports, Encouraging sports among the disabled etc.
The developed sports industry offers immense socio-economic benefits. Sports develop leadership qualities, improve physical and mental health, enhance teamwork, offers myriad career options.
Successful Sportspersons are admired in society and can encourage millions if not billions to work towards the right path, give career guidance, etc. Success in Olympics increases the stature of the country.
Encouragement of sports can push the economic growth of other associated industry including food and nutrition, sports equipment, sports counselling, training sectors etc.
