With an aim to promote the Fit India Movement and to ensure that the best use of sports infrastructure is made by sports persons across the country, the sports ministry on Sunday has decided to allow national and state sports federations, leagues and clubs to provide access to the government owned sporting facilities without any fees from November 1 next.
However, in the first phase, the sports ministry has decided to allow national and state sports federations to host competitions, tournaments and leagues of all sporting disciplines at four stadiums in Delhi.
These stadiums include Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Indira Gandhi Stadium, Major Dhyanchand Stadium and Karni Singh Shooting Range.
The sports ministry has earmarked each of the stadiums for specific sports.
While Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium will host football leagues, training and competitions organized by federations, Indira Gandhi Stadium will be earmarked for wrestling, boxing, judo and badminton.
Shooting competitions will be hosted at Karni Singh Shooting Range and hockey and swimming at Major Dhyanchand Stadium
As per the new sports policy, any non-Sports Authority of India (SAI) coach having a minimum of ten wards under his /her training will be allowed to provide training to their athletes at these stadiums without any charge.
The non-SAI coaches can book their training sessions at these stadiums from November 1 and he/she can charge a nominal training fee from their wards.
Moreover, youngsters who are not trained in any sports can also have access to these stadiums to play a sport of their choice after getting their photo identity cards made from SAI at a nominal cost.
Sports minister Kiren Rijiju said that the move has been taken after consultation with sports federations and with an aim to provide aspiring athletes and sports lovers with enough venues to play sports of their choices.
Rijiju also hoped that the move will also encourage more Indians to take up fitness routines and will help the ministry in finding out more suitable sporting talents in the country
He also claimed that most of the sports federations have already submitted plans to host upcoming tournaments in the stadiums.