Vice-President launches National Sports Talent Search Portal

New Delhi: The Vice President of India Venkaiah Naidu today launched the National Sports Talent Search Portal, a government initiative to unearth sporting talent from every nook and corner of the country. Under the initiative, a child or his parents, teachers or coaches can upload his bio data or video on the portal. The Sports Ministry will select talented players and impart training to them at Sports Authority India centres.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday made a mention of the portal launch during his 'Man ki Baat' radio programme.

Speaking on the occasion, Naidu said that the provision of infrastructure and training facilities and establishment of academies would be critical to India becoming a strong sporting nation.

"We need to create good infrastructure for sports in all states and nurture sporting talent from an early age. Across the length and breadth of the country, we need more training academies and coaching centres to turn our young men and women into sports stars and role models for succeeding generations," he said.

"Barring cricket and hockey earlier as team sports, our success in sports events is sporadic and more on account of individual effort and excellence, rather than any state patronage and encouragement. That must change. Be it Sania Mirza, PV Sindhu, Saina Nehwal, PT Usha, Milkha Singh or Abhinav Bhindra, all of them did themselves and the nation proud through perseverance and tenacity," he added.

Talking about the Portal, Naidu said, "The platform of National Sports Talent Search Portal will be a game changer and enable the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and Sports Authority of India select the best. "This initiative will not only help in identifying the best talent, but will also provide a level playing field to all the applicants and create a competitive environment."

As one-seventh of humanity, there is no dearth of talent in our country, especially with more than 450 million youth.

In fact, we are overflowing with talent but in order to harness it, we have to put in place a robust system to spot and nurture talent, and develop world champions."

Naidu also praised shuttler P V Sindhu for winning the silver medal in the World Championships yesterday.

"Sindhu has shown that India can compete at the highest level. She should not feel disappointed (despite the loss in the final). She has proven that she is a role model for the future generation."

Sports Minister Vijay Goel said he hoped the initiative will go a long way in unearthing talented children in the country.

He said the ministry has also decided to introduce 1000 scholarships of Rs 5 lakh each for eight years.