Guj minister urges Centre to launch Mission Olympic programme

Gujarat Sports Minister (Independent) Rajendra Trivedi has suggested to the Centre to launch an initiative, 'Pradhan Mantri Mission Olympic Programme', to support the prospective Olympians for the 2020, 2024 and 2028 Olympic games.
He made this suggestion at the sports ministers' conference in New Delhi yesterday.
He also suggested issuance of privilege cards to talented athletes and a holistic support for them, including training facilities, competition exposure, insurance, jobs, relaxation in attendance for those still studying etc.
"I advocated promotion of sports with more planning, stating that the culture of sports should be developed from the childhood and it should also be integrated with education so that the best results can be achieved," Trivedi told PTI today.

Sports should be included in the curriculum in a phased manner with the recruitment of physical education or sports teachers in primary and secondary schools, he suggested.
Trivedi also proposed a district-level sports school scheme with "part assistance" from the Centre to nurture talent at the grass-root level.
He said some of the Navodaya schools and Kendriya Vidyalaya could be converted into sports school.