MUMBAI: Union Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, who has already declared his intention to cut the word ‘authority’ out of the Sports Authority of India (SAI), has said that the strength of the regulatory body will be cut by half by 2022.
The government aims to cut the staff of the SAI to “ensure professionalism and bring in more accountability”, Rathore told the Economic Times. “We don’t need so many people. Remaining people will be ably supported by professionals. All the sports bodies – SAI, National Sports Federations (NSFs) – have to step up in terms of delivery,” he said.
Rathore, inducted into the ministry in September, has made clear his agenda of cleansing Indian sports of red tape and bureaucracy, and bringing sportspersons into focus. He told ET that the the implementation of the much-delayed Sports Code is also on his priority list, and that the government has submitted its report on the Sports Code to the Supreme Court.
While maintaining that that entire sports system would be redesigned with players at the centre, Rathore has launched an out-of-pocket allowance of Rs 50,000 per month for top athletes with effect from September. Under the Khelo India initiative, the sports ministry will now work on a plan to offer stadiums and other infrastructure to private parties and corporates, Rathore said.
“Many of these stadiums are not being utilised in the absence of regular sports events. Why are we wasting this infrastructure? They (corporates) can operate these stadiums to organise sporting events, can (sell) tickets and invest back in the upkeep and promotion of sports. We have already identified five big stadiums under SAI for which we are seeking corporate partnership,” he added.
On the issue of doping among sportspersons, Rathore told ET that the ministry is adoping a three pronged approach to tackle the problem. “First is to create more awareness by organising seminars. Second, bringing coaches under the fold of awareness and responsibility, and third, and most important, is punitive measures. We want to make it clear to everyone that doping is completely unacceptable,” he said.
