New Delhi: Union Minister for Social Justices and Empowerment, Mukul Wasnik on Sunday launched the nationwide “Come & Play Scheme”. Aimed at opening the SAI sporting infrastructure for sports loving citizen apart from dedicated sports person, the scheme would ensure access to more than 80 SAI facilities, spread across the length and breadth of the Country. The function held at MDC National stadium was presided over by the Union Minister of State (I/C) for Youth Affairs & Sports, Ajay Maken.
As a part of the legacy utilization plan of the newly created sports infrastructure in the capital, the ‘COME AND PLAY’ Scheme was initiated by Ajay Maken at various Sports Authority of India (SAI )Stadia Complexes in Delhi, on April 15, 2011. The Scheme envisages opening up of the SAI stadia in the city for use by school children, students, sports person as also the common people. The response to the scheme has been encouraging and has attracted around 12,000 of sports enthusiasts. The objective of the scheme is essentially to impart coaching, primarily to beginners, not only to broad base sports but for optimum utilization of the facilities available.
Considering the success of the Scheme in Delhi, Ajay Maken directed SAI authorities to replicate in all the SAI Regional Centres / Sub-Centres / Institutions, STCs & SAG Centres. It was in this background that the Scheme was launched nationwide by Mukul Wasnik and Ajay Maken here today. On the occasion, the theme song and a booklet on “Come & Play Scheme” were also released.
Age group, timing, facilities and process of entry registration: This scheme is targeted at the 8-17 age group so that talent spotted in the region could be nurtured by systematic coaching support available in the Centres. The registration of sportspersons to the said Scheme is made on FIRST COME, FIRST SERVE basis.
Facilities and Fee: The trainees would be provided with playing arenas / non-consumable equipments like field, track, tables, mats, etc. Also, consumables like balls, shuttle-cocks, etc would be provided by SAI. The trainees would bring their personal sports equipment like racquets, bats etc. Fee structure of Rs.45/- per month would be charged for specified time allotted usage.
Salient Features of the Scheme:
• Meritorious talent emerging from this Scheme will also form a pool and entry link for induction into regular residential sports promotional schemes of Sports Authority of India.
• Age specific competitions i.e. 8-10, 10-12 and 12-17 years would be conducted as per calendar declared in advance twice a year on specified dates.
• The first three position holders in the relevant age groups in these competitions would be allowed to participate in the competitions organized for selection of trainees for admission to the Boarding Scheme in SAI Training Centres/Special Area Games Centres.
Special Feature: Complimentary membership would be issued to international sportspersons and National / State medal winners during the previous three years (both in the age group of 17-21 years). Complimentary membership would also be extended to BPL trainees. Girl trainees and children in Government schools would be given membership at 1/3rd of the fee charged.
Monitoring of progress of coaching of trainees
The trainees would be monitored by Coaches/Sports Scientistsperidically.