The Commonwealth Secretary General, Rt Hon Patricia Janet Scotland today called on Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, here and discussed a wide range of issues.
During the discussion, Rathore proposed the idea of a concurrent Commonwealth Youth Festival alongwith the Commonwealth Games.
The proposed Youth Festival can be a platform for intermingling of youth of Commonwealth countries in an informal environment which often gets lost in the highly competitive environment of the Games.
"Having a Commonwealth Youth Festival alongwith the Commonwealth Games will augment the sport's capacity to carry positive messages," Rathore said.
The Youth Affairs and Sports Minister also explained the concept of the Khelo India scheme and upcoming Khelo India School Games to the Secretary General.
He also explained to the Secretary General about the success of sports in weaning off youth from militancy in disturbed areas.
He gave the example of popularity of football in the Kashmir valley.
Both the leaders also agreed to develop the virtual communities of sportspersons and the youth of Commonwealth countries where free flow of ideas will strengthen the bond between sportspersons and future leaders.
Responding to the idea of Commonwealth Community Cricket Games for Under-19 youth, the Sports Minister said similar results can also be obtained by having arrangements of training in each other's countries.
The weather appropriate training schedules in each other countries will lead to long lasting relationships among the young players and will also deepen the cooperation, he said.
Both the dignitaries emphasised that sports is a platform which brings people closer.
The Secretary General also invitated Rathore for Commonwealth Sports Ministers' Conference scheduled to be held on the sidelines of upcoming Commonwealth Games in April, 2018 and the Indian Sports Minister accepted the invitation.
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