Sportspersons bat for fresh policy to improve facilities

INDORE: Demanding a fresh

policy

for betterment of sportsmen, a memorandum has been prepared by

sports

fraternity from across the state.

They suggested better sports facilities for tribals in rural areas and job security for players who have played at national level during a meeting convened at

Bhopal

. Vikram awardees, government representatives and presidents of various sports associations attended the meeting and tabled their suggestions for the draft of a sports policy.

The suggestions were collated following the meeting and will be presented before sports minister Jitu Patwari by the representatives for further action.

All the sportsmen stressed on proper infrastructure for sports and jobs especially in police department for players who won medals at higher levels.

“For the past 15 years, no jobs had been given to players under the sports quota. Also, only Vikram awardees are eligible for jobs with state government. We have sought for an increase in the number of such recognized awards, which can help sportsmen get government jobs,” said Deepak Joshi, representative of district football association.

Hockey player Mer Ranjan Negi, Arjun awardee in sailing GL Yadav, tennis coach Sajid Lodhi, Vishwamitra awardee (basketball) Mukhtiyar Singh, sports and youth welfare joint director Vinod Pradhan and Sports Authority of India additional director JP Goswami also attended the meeting.

During the meeting, the participants also suggested the need for encouraging physically challenged sportsmen and making proper infrastructure for them at least in big centres.