Corporates have to play major role in sports: Sonowal

“I make an appeal to all industrial houses of the country to please come forward and join hands with us because government alone cannot provide all modern facilities. Private houses and corporates have to play a major role in development of the sports,” he told reporters here.

Speaking at inauguration of an integrated stadium developed by SE TransStadia at Kankaria area here, the minister called for greater efforts and initiatives from the various stakeholders.

“Sports has now become a huge industry and we have got tremendous scope here but the question is of initiatives and efforts.. that is required,” Sonowal said.

The international-level sport facility has been built on 9 acres, provided on lease by Gujarat government, with an investment of around Rs 400 crore.

“Nowadays sports has become a way of life for Indians. Because if every Indian accepts sports as a way of life then definitely we are going to develop our potentiality to great extent and we can overcome any kind of challenges in world competitions.

So this capability and ability is there in our sports persons and this kind of initiative will help our vision plan in the near future,” said Sonowal.

To a query on making sports part of school curriculum, he said, “We are writing to HRD ministry to include sports as curriculum in schools. If sports can be tied up with education and marks will come up for sports and parents will encourage students to go for sports.” 

Meanwhile, Sports secretary Ajit Saran said that there is a proposal to make sports infrastructure an industry.

“There was a proposal received to treat sports infrastructure as industry and some time back we had recommended to department of economic affairs and Reserve Bank of India. It is still with finance ministry,” Saran said.

He also said efforts are also being made under ‘Make in India’ and skill India programmes.

“Government has also made efforts in sports science like a university was set up in Manipur. Besides, National Institute of Sports Science will be set up in Delhi. It shall come up in next two to three years,” he said.