SETTING UP OF ALL INDIA COUNCIL FOR SPORTS
PROF. VIJAY KUMAR MALHOTRA APPOINTED
CHAIRMAN WITH THE RANK OF A CABINET MINISTER
Shri Vijay Kumar Malhotra has been appointed
as the Chairman of the All India Council of Sports. Shri Malhotra
will have the rank of a Cabinet Minister.
The Council is being set up to promote sports
activities. There have been suggestions that India should plan
to host international level sport events. The proposals are under
consideration for bidding for the Commonwealth Games and the Olympic
Games 2012. In this background the setting up of the All India
Council of Sports assumes significance and it will advise the
Government on preparations for holding such mega sports events,
as the organisation of such games requires sustained campaign
at international level so as to create an opinion among international
sports organisations in favour of India.
The objective of the Council is better coordination
between sports bodies and the Sports Ministry.
The Council will also advise the Ministry of
Youth Affairs and Sports on steps to implement National Sports
Policy on issues pertaining to functioning of National Sports
Federation and effective functioning of State sports academies.
As the Government is emphasising on the need to go for self-financing
in organising sports activities, the Council will also suggest
way and means to raise resources. The other objectives are following:
- To advise the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports on matters
relating to preparation of national teams for multi-disciplinary
international events.
- To advise on policies, which affect the participation of Indian,
teams abroad.
- To advise on ways and means to maximise the medal prospects
of the Indian contingent in Olympic games and other major international
championships.
- To advise on matters relating to prevention of drug abuse
in sports.
- To advise on issues arising out of match fixing and other
malpractices in competitive sports.
- To advise on ways and means to promote indigenous games in
the country.
- To advise on issues and matters specifically referred to the
Council by Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.
The Council with its headquarters in Delhi will
also have two Vice-Presidents. They are Shri Abhay Chautala, Vice-Chairman,
Indian Olympic Association and Shri Adityan, Ex.President, Indian
Olympic Association. Four Members from Lok Sabha and two from
Rajya Sabha will be its Members. The other Members would be Secretary
in the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Director General,
Sports Authority of India, Joint Secretary(Sports) in the Ministry
of Youth Affairs and Sports, Joint Secretary(Coordination) in
the Ministry of External Affairs, Secretary General, Association
of Indian Universities, three ex-international sports persons,
five eminent sports persons and a representative from Indian industry.
The term of all members except ex-officio shall
be three years provided that government may terminate of any members
before completion of the said term and fill up the resultant vacancy
with any other person.
The Council will be an Advisory Body and may
meet from time to time, at least once in a quarter.
Before it was dismantled in 1984 the Council
was headed by luminaries like Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa and
Field Marshal Sam Maneckshaw.
Professor Malhotra a senior BJP leader is a Member
of Parliament from South Delhi Lok Sabha constituency. He has
been associated with the sports for the past more than four decades.
He had been the Vice-President of Indian Olympic Association and
Chef De Mission of the Indian contingent to Asian Games held in
Tehran in 1974. He is also the President of Indian Archery Association.
