Chandigarh, November 15-
Acceding to a long pending demand of the former Olympians, the Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Punjab Mr. Pargat today announced to waive off the condition of income limit on pension of Medal winner International players.
An announcement to this regard was made by the Minister during an interaction with the former players held here at MGSIPA in sector 26 regarding formulation of new sports policy. He said that instead of big stadiums major thrust will be laid on establishing coaching centers. Mr. Pargat Singh said that in order to streamline sports in the state a 20 member committee comprising of players of various games is being constituted, so that benefit can be taken from their vast experience and expertise in field of sports.
The Minister said that the government is process of formulating a policy wherein the services of the players recruited under Sports quota will be taken by the department. He exhorted such government officers to voluntarily opt for this scheme to uplift the level of sports in the state. Mr. Pargat Singh advocated that at level of coming into service these players must give preference to department only.
The Minister also called upon the players to render services to the Education department so that foundation of sports can be laid at early age. He said that the department has set a target of associating five lakh youth of the state under sports. Mr. Pargat Singh said that for creating an atmosphere of sports in the state corporate firms, private companies and NRIs will be roped in.
Meanwhile, former Olympians lauded the Sports Minister for involving them to prepare the Sports policy. They also gave their suggestions to inculcate sporting spirit amongst the youth from tender age. They said that it is for the first time that any Sports Minister has done a meeting with them on this important issue.
Earlier, Secretary Sports Mr. Ajoy Kumar Sharma called upon players, youth clubs and other stakeholders to join hands for creating an atmosphere of sports in the state.
Director Sports Mr. Parminder Pal Singh Sandhu said that in consultation with the players a new sports policy is being formulated, which will give much needed impetus to sports in the state.
On the occasion, Deputy Secretary Sports Kirpal Veer Singh, Olympians Rajinder Singh senior, Gurbir Singh Sandhu, Jaipal Singh, Suman Sharma, Tarlok Singh Sandhu, Sukhbir Singh Grewal, Bahadur Singh, Harbhans Kaur, Rajpal Singh, Avneet kaur Sidhu, Tejinder Singh Dhillon and others were also present.
