)
The Punjab government has joined hands with the Sports Authority of India (SAI) to give a boost to sports culture in the state, besides upgrading sports amenities and infrastructure for budding players.
The state has also decided to recruit senior coaches for this purpose to train the promising stars according to the current world sports scenario.
A spokesman said Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal, who also holds sports portfolio, emphasised to develop and maintain world class infrastructure in the sports department and for this purpose the government would establish residential sports training centers at Ludhiana, SAS Nagar and Jalandhar. Badal has directed the department to ensure maximum participation of Punjabi players in coming international events by launching a long-term athlete development program in collaboration with education department and SAI.
He said joint venture of state-SAI will be a step forward to motivate youth towards sports. He also said under this project, sports training centers equipped with ultra-modern sports facilities, infrastructure and gadgets would be set up across the state.
He said there were more than 845 players being trained currently by sports department in sports centers and after setting up of these centers the numbers will touch to about 1300.
Spokesman said proper coaching in upcoming centers would provide a platform to the players to improve their sports skills so as to compete at the national as well as international levels. He said the government was committed to provide better sports facilities at village and block level to improve the standard of sports in the state.
Adding further, he said that various categories including senior coaches, coaches, physical trainers for Hockey, wrestling (Free style & Greco Roman), Boxing, Cycling, Gymnastic (Artistic & Rhythmic), Athletics (Jumps, Sprint, Middle/Long distance), Discuss Throw/Decathlon, Basketball, Rowing, Swimming, Badminton, Table Tennis, Volley Ball and Weight Lifting would be covered under the sports recruitment process. Besides this, dieticians would also be appointed to give necessary guidance on diet and nutrition to the budding players.
