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.
