Gill asks States to provide basic infrastructure for sports at Panchayat level (Lead: Infrastructur

New Delhi, July 9 (ANI): Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Dr. M.S. Gill today urged States to make a concerted effort to provide basic sports infrastructure at the Panchayat level.

Inaugurating a conference of State Youth Affairs and Sports Ministers, Dr. Gill emphasised the need for promoting sports at the grassroots level, as the universalisation of sports could not be achieved without giving an adequate thrust to sports development at the Panchayat level.

He said the Government had already decided to provide a one time seed capital to each panchayat and had asked the States to send proposals to avail this central Government sponsored scheme.

The Minister also apprised participants about the various initiatives taken by the Central Government recently, which included enhancing the pension and other incentives for outstanding sportsperson.

The daylong conference was attended by Ministers and bureaucrats of various Ministries.

Some of the major issues relating to sports that were discussed, included the Panchayat Yuva Krida Aur Khel Abhiyan (PYKKA), use of sport infrastructure, role of the Sports Authority of India and draft schemes for the promotion of sports and games in schools, colleges and universities, sports and games for disabled and National Physical Fitness Programme (NPFP). (ANI)