Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Col Rajyavardhan Rathore has said the atmosphere and mindset for sports is changing in the country and government has taken several measures in this direction. Addressing Jagran Conclave in New Delhi today, he said stars are now coming not only from cricket but also from other sports.
Col Rathore listed the government's initiatives for the promotion of sports in the country. He said after coming to power in 2014, the NDA government had set up Olympic Task Force and started Target Olympic Podium scheme for grooming players for international events.
He said Khelo India school games have been started to find the talent at lower level and his ministry is providing all kind of support to it so that players can be groomed for senior level sporting events.
The Minister also said, one thousand players will be selected from Khelo India every year. They will be given scholarship of five lakh rupees for eight years. He said respect and facilities for sportsmen are two focus areas of his ministry.
The Minister also added that sports play an important role in personality as well as society development. (AIR)