New Delhi: In a bid to make India a sporting nation and develop sports at the grass root level, Union Minister For Sports and Youth Affairs, Ajay Maken has announced to make the Sports Authority of India (SAI) Stadia available to be used by different organisations.
While government schools, colleges, universities, state federations, sports associations, registered societies and clubs could avail the facilities at a nominal rate of Rs 1000 while national federations will be charged Rs. 5000 for their competitions. Maken underlined that the use thereof will remain restricted to sporting events, competitions and activities. He however added that the weight lifting auditorium in the JLN Stadium Complex will be opened for non-sporting activities and the tariff and other conditions for the same are in the process of being worked out.
After opening up of the SAI Stadia for the use of children, students and the people at large under the Come & Play scheme- an initiative in May this year, Maken is optimistic that the current proposal will firmly put the legacy utilization plan for the CWG 2010 infrastructure in the domain of public utilization.
The Sports minister informed that soon after taking charge of the Ministry of Youth affairs and Sports, he had set up a committee of sports person with Secretary, sports as its chairperson to suggest the way forward for the utilization of the CWG 2010 infrastructure, and it was in line with its recommendations that these initiatives were being taken.
It was decided that the Stadia will be used for,
1. People at large under the Come & Play Scheme.
2. Holding of Competitions by Schools, Colleges and other stake holders and
3. Establishing Training Centres/ Academies for various disciplines.
The Come & Play scheme was not only running successfully in the Capital but had also been introduced in over 80 SAI facilities across the Country. A national level competition of the participants of the scheme was also scheduled to be held in Delhi in January next year. Similarly, the SAI governing body had approved the setting up of Centre for training in Hockey at a cost of Rs 25 Cr in the MDC National Stadium Complex.
The response of various organizations for making use of the Stadia for sporting activities has been very encouraging and some of the events which have already taken place or are planned in the future are as follows:
JLN Stadia Complex: Airtel Half Marathon, Air Force Station Sports Control Board, All India Football Federation for SAFF Championship, AIFF for International Football match between Bayern Munich and best of India, Delhi Police, Indian Navy Sports Control Board, YMCA, Father Angel School etc.
MDC National Stadium: LB Shastri Hockey Tournament, JL Nehru Hockey Tournament, National Camps for Men and Women, PNB Team coaching, Olympic Qualifier Tournament, International matches between India and South Africa/Azerbaizan etc.
IG Stadia Complex: Asian Junior Chess Championship, National Sub-Junior Badminton Championship, National Camp for Basketball for Junior/ Senior both Men and Women, National Camps for Gymnastics for both Men and Women etc.
Dr SPMSPC: National Swimming Coaching Camp, Delhi State Sub- Junior/Junior Aquatics Championship, Delhi State Open Tiny Tot Swimming Championship, Delhi State Swimming Championship, Delhi State Veteran’s Swimming Championship, KVS National Swimming Sports Meet for Girls etc.
KSSR: National Camp for Men and Women in all events, Haryana State Shooting Championship etc.