NEW DELHI: Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi announced that she would be working with the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports to promote greater participation of women in sports.
“Sports can play a vital role in transforming and empowering lives of women and girls. Today, we recognise it as a platform for girls to demonstrate their skills and achieve their aspirations” Gandhi said in her speech at an UNICEF event to celebrate the International Day of the Girl Child on Wednesday.
She said that a campaign will be launched to motivate girls and women to take up sports.
“More importantly, sports infrastructure for girls is proposed to be developed for which the (Women) Ministry is willing to contribute funds,” she said.
UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Sachin Tendulkar, Indian Women’s cricket captain Mitali Raj, former captain of Indian women’s basketball team Raspreet Sidhu, Special Olympics athlete Ragini Sharma, Karate champion Mana Mandlekar and para swimmer Rajni Jha were also present on the occasion.
