NEW DELHI: The Union Ministry of Steel unveiled on Monday a first of its kind ‘Corporate Sports Policy’ for its Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs), that aims to develop young Indian sporting talent across the country for winning medals and laurels in Olympics and other marquee international level competitions.
Union minister of steel Chaudhary Birender Singh, released the policy document at a function held at SCOPE complex, here in the presence of the ministry’s Sports Committee chairman N Baijendra Kumar, IAS, and CMD, NMDC Ltd and Saraswati Prasad, IAS and chairman, SAIL.
In his address, the Union Minster said that now sports acts as a change agent of country as it is equally important for the growth of nation. India’s steel sector contributes more than 2% to GDP, steel sector needs to strive to enhance equivalent contribution in sports.
The policy document quotes the minister as stating: “The awareness towards sports is increasing day by day. Parents are encouraging their children to play sports as it not only keeps them fit, but also it has a good career option.”
Under this policy the steel CPSEs will play the role of enabler like providing infrastructure, venue, facilities, institutions etc.
As per the policy, CPSEs will form the Apex Sports Body (ASB) with its headquarters being in the city, to execute the policy and distribute the funding that the enterprises will provide on an annual basis.
The money won’t be a part of their CSR activities. For instance, the Navratna and Maharatna CPSEs are set to pool in with Rs 10 million each for 2018-19 while the amount reduce to Rs 5 million each year after that. The remaining companies will be providing Rs 3 million each per year.
Baijendra Kumar said: “The policy will give adequate access to sports and support them for wholesome training, positive health, competitive excellence, livelihood, social harmony and goodwill. To help accelerate this change, sports policy of steel CPSEs would be supplementing the government initiatives and promote sports in their respective areas of operations.”
Saraswati Prasad, his address, said that this policy will be the change maker in society.
He also told about various sports promotion schemes which SAIL runs in its various operational projects across the country.
