The Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Shri
Vikram Verma Chaired the meeting of the Parliamentary Consultative
Committee attached to his Ministry at Sports Authority of India,
Netaji Subhash National Institute of Sports, Patiala, today. The
meeting was held to discuss India’s performance in the Commonwealth
Games and the Asian Games, 2002.
The Minister informed that in the Commonwealth
Games held in Manchester, U.K., India secured fourth position
in overall tally by winning 30 gold, 22 silver and 17 bronze medals.
Of the 10 sports disciplines in which India participated, India
won medals in 9 disciplines. He also commended the performance
of weightlifters and Indian shooters. The Indian women for the
first time won medal in athletics in Commonwealth Games. In the
14th Asian Games at Busan, South Korea, India won 36
medals comprising 11 gold, 12 silver and 13 bronze. Athlete Sunita
Rani will be given her medal on 4th February, 2003
at New Delhi.
The issues discussed at the meeting include:
increased funding for sports in the Budget, making sports compulsory
in schools, harnessing energy of youths in sports with particular
stress on the North East and systematizing the focus on sports.
Replying to the queries, the Minister informed that various schemes
have been formulated to chennalize the energy of youth and to
give assistance to sports persons. The possibility of financial
support by Corporate Sector is also being explored.
The Minister complimented the role of various
Committees formed for the Commonwealth and Asian Games including
Brig. K. P. Singh Deo Committee "Committee for Preparation
for Commonwealth Games and Asian Games 2002".
Shri Ram Das Athawale , Member of Parliament,
Lok Sabha ; Prof. I.G. Sanadi ; Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha
; Shri C. Apoke Jamir , Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha and
officials of the Ministry attended the meeting. The Minister appreciated
the cooperation of the Members of Parliament for their keen interest
in promoting and developing Indian sports.
