India should learn from China how to excel in sports

by Punjabnewswire4u (Balbir)

SAS NAGAR, AUG 15

: The Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal today said that Punjab is coming out with the comprehensive sports policy that would focus on nurturing grass root sports talent to prepare them for future international challenges.

Speaking to media persons after Independence Day function, Mr. Badal said that poor performance of India in Olympics especially in the team events was just because of neglect of sports by Union government. He said that it was matter of great concern that sports was the most neglected area and whosoever player has excelled in Olympics was just because of his individual efforts and not because of any support provided by Union government. Ruing the dismal and shameful performance by India in Hockey, Mr. Badal blamed the Union government for failing to address the rising factionalism in hockey federations that has left players confused.

Advising the Union government to take a lesson from China, that has come on the No.1 position in sports in 15 years just because of their consistent and clear policy on sports. He said that our sports department was having just negligible budget whereas British Prime Minister has announced 1 billion pound just for sports. Mr. Badal said that Punjab on its own level is coming out with the comprehensive sports policy that would focus on nurturing grass root talent. He said that we are setting up sports school in every district and first school in Ghuda has already started functioning. 

Mr. Badal said that Punjab government would also engage the services of foreign coaches to provide specialized training to budding players. He said that upcoming hockey stadium in SAS Nagar would have same blue & pink Astroturf that was used in London Olympics.

Denying any differences with BJP on resource mobilization, Mr. Badal said that whatever decision we take we take it as a collective unit and there was no question of any difference.