CHANDIGARH: The Haryana Government is formulating a policy to provide employment to outstanding sportspersons of the State in its different governments. The modalities of the policy are almost complete and an advertisement will soon be released to invite applications from eligible sportspersons. This was announced by Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar while presiding over a function to confer Bhim Awards, the highest sports award of the State, at Haryana Raj Bhawan here on Sunday.
Khattar and Governor Prof Kaptan Singh Solanki conferred the coveted award upon 42 sportspersons of the State for their outstanding performance at national and international level during the years 2013-14, 2014-15, 2015-16 and 2016-17. The Bhim Award carries Rs5 lakh in cash, an idol of Bhim, a scroll of honour, a blazer and tie or scarf.
A total of Rs 2.10 crore was given away to Bhim awardees during the function. Khattar said, "It has been observed that outstanding sportspersons are keen to join the police force, but instead they should try to utilise their experience in grooming young budding sportspersons to make Haryana, a centre of sports."
He exhorted sportspersons to apply under the policy to get employment. He added, "‘Khel Mahkumbh’ would be organised and it would be a two-month-long programme to hold sports events at each block and district level. The venue for the final event is not decided, but most probably it would be held in Hisar." He added that India being a country of youth, as people between 15 to 35 years of age constitute 65 per cent of its total population, various polices were being prepared to ensure their development.
He said: "To ensure physical development of children along with education, a unique sports policy has been implemented under which emphasis is being laid to ‘Catch them Young'. There are about 550 sports stadia at block, district and State level. Coaches would be provided in all these stadia to impart training to sportspersons. Recruitment of coaches is in progress."
He further added: "A multi-purpose hall would be constructed in all districts of the State. Also, Yuva Vikas Kendras would be established in all districts at a cost of Rs5 crore each. The State government has also doubled the budget of the sports and youth affairs department to `401 crore for the year 2016-17." Khattar said that wrestling mats would soon be provided at 100 Akharas in the State.
He said that Haryana was giving the highest ever prize money in the world to its Olympics medal winners. "Gold medal winner of Olympics is given Rs6 crore whereas the silver and bronze medal winners are given Rs4 crore and Rs 2.5 crore respectively," he said. Earlier, Haryana Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Anil Vij said that it has been decided to open 20 sports nurseries in all districts of the State where sportspersons would be given a stipend of `1,500 to Rs 2,000 and the facility of a coach.