Gujarat is one such state in India where development of infrastructure and facilities has always been the focus. The state government is continuously working on these areas, in an attempt to build and promote businesses. There has been a lot of progress in the areas of science and technology as well. While medicine and related fields, including traditional health centers and yoga, are also seeing growth, how can the state not focus on sports?
Interestingly, Home Minister of Gujarat Harsh Sanghavi today visited high-performance sports center in Nadiad to interact with coaches and students. He focused on understanding their routines and also listened to their concerns. The visit began 6.30 am as Sanghavi visited various sections of the sports center, including archery, taekwondo, volleyball, wrestling, swimming, gym, high jump, running and others. The center, with the support Sports Authority of Gujarat, organized an event during Sanghavi’s visit.
“In 20 years we have transformed Gujarat’s sports sector. Our students have won national games and have won Olympics. We have developed world class infrastructure to support students and we will continue to encourage them to perform their best,” Sanghavi said at the event.
Gujarat is aiming to become the epicenter for sports facilities in the country, with a budget of The total budget Rs250 crore. In this regard, the state will become the first to have sports goods manufacturing cluster. The state is also planning a para-athletic center, the first in India. The government will focus on developing high performance centers in the state, already having the blueprint for four of them. Another salient feature is development of sports incubator in the state. Data analytic and sports science will be implemented through sports university.
Sanghavi spent 24 hours at the Nadiad’s high-performance center, which is spread across 21 acres of land. It has 350 -bed girls hostel, 400-bed boys hostel and canteen that can suffice over 150 people at a time. The academy trains over 233 students from across India. He interacted with students at the center and learned about their struggles, journey and their aspirations.
“This sports facility is world class but we are still trying to make it better. Yoga section will be developed at this centre. From today, we will be increasing the money allocated for the diet of sportsperson. Their daily expenses of food will be increased from Rs380 to Rs450 per day/per person,” Sanghavi said.
“Sports can unite people. It can bring a sense of unity in our young generation. Just today I saw a girl, Miss Pathan who hails from a Muslim family. Initially her community was reluctant about the clothes she will have to wear or the travel that she will have to undertake for tournaments. Her father was adamant and that’s why it changed the mindset of a family. Sports brough the chabge. This is the achievement of sports.” adds Sanghavi.
Highlight of Sports Policy 2022:
- Gujarat to set up India’s first ever sports goods manufacturing cluster
- Gujarat to have India’s first ever para-athletics center
- Gujarat to have four new high-performance sports centers
- Gujarat to develop sports incubator, implement data analytic and sports science
