We have asked every state to adopt one sport: Rijiju

Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju on Wednesday mentioned the federal government has requested each state to undertake one sport every and deal with its growth in a bid to attain extra medals on the Olympics. Rijiju, who was talking at a webinar on the ‘Role of Coporate India for Fit India’ organised by Assocham, mentioned the company sector may even be advised to do the identical.

We have written to the states to decide on (a sport). For instance, if Manipur chooses boxing and sepak takraw, it can also do soccer or archery nevertheless it has to deal with the self-discipline it has chosen,” Rijijiu mentioned.

“We have made certain policy changes like each corporate will be advised to adopt a certain discipline and focus on it. It won’t stop you from supporting other sports,” he added.

Rijiju mentioned a rustic as large as India has the potential to deal with a number of disciplines if all states embrace a sport every.

“We have 36 states and if we work as 36 countries focussing on certain sporting discipline that will give the result,” he mentioned.

The minister reiterated that India can end within the top-10 of the medal tally within the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

“I have set a target that India should be in the top 10 by 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. But India will not reach there just by setting a target.

“If I see the performance of each country and if India wins 10-12 gold medals in Olympics then it will be most likely in the top 10 because the top 4-5 countries like China and USA are above 40-50 gold medals,” he added.

Rijiju mentioned 14 sports activities have been recognized as precedence disciplines which shall be developed as medal prospects for the Olympics.

“A country the size of India won’t be playing just one or two disciplines. We have identified 14 disciplines as priority sports like archery, wrestling, boxing, hockey, shooting etc. But besides that I have kept the option open for more,” he mentioned.

The minister mentioned it’s time the sports activities federations, authorities and the company sector work collectively. He mentioned high athletes shall be despatched to coach on the amenities constructed by the corporates.

“Some of the corporate facilities are excellent. I think those top athletes which we have identified through the federation will be made to use facilities of the corporate.” He mentioned he had seen the Inspire Institute of JSW group, which has already been offering coaching amenities to high wrestlers, javelin throwers.

“We need to integrate the sports federation, the government and the corporate. We have to come together and augment all our resources together in the same direction.,” he added.