Experts must head sports bodies: KTR

Hyderabad: Minister for industries, IT and MA&UD, K.T. Rama Rao on Tuesday took a dig at various sports bodies in the state. He said the sports bodies had become "political rehabilitation centres". He opined that there should not be involvement of politicians in sports bodies if the state had to excel in sports. He said no one knew what sports bodies like the state Olympic association or various sports federations were doing in the state.

Rama Rao made these comments in the Cabinet sub-committee meeting to devise a comprehensive sports policy for Telangana. Minister for sports V. Srinivas Goud, ministers Sabitha Indra Reddy, Errabelli Dayakar Rao and Chief Secretary Somesh Kumar were present in the meeting.

"I strongly feel there should not be politicians in sports bodies. I will also tender resignations to posts held by me in sports bodies. Sports persons and related people should be in sports bodies. Sports associations should work with the government to promote and develop sports in the state. Coordination meetings should be held with sports bodies and the government frequently. We should take a district as a unit to hold these meetings under the chairmanship of respective district collectors," Rama Rao said.

Rao hailed the "Odisha government's model" for sports development that invests in developing young talent, soliciting partnerships with corporations and international academies, all the while ensuring that international events can take place in their state-of-the-art stadia. He advised officials to visit Odisha, study their model and come out with similar initiatives to promote sports culture in Telangana.

Rama Rao proposed encouraging sports universities in the private sector along the lines of South Korea. He mooted the idea of setting up 'mandatory sports budget' in the department of panchayat raj and rural development similar to 'green budget' that was set up to promote greenery in the state.

"To produce sportspersons from rural areas, we should ensure that sporting kits should reach rural youth. Setting up of sports grounds in rural areas by using MNREGA funds should be considered. We should also consider making sports mandatory in all schools in Telangana. If needed, we should devise a separate course to promote sports," Rao noted.

Expressing concern over schools and colleges confining only to academic activities, entrance exams, marks and ranks these days, he said, "In Hyderabad, majority of the schools have no playgrounds. Children are crammed into classrooms like birds in poultry farms. How can we expect to produce sportspersons from these educational institutions? There is a need to create awareness on the importance of sports and games from village level to city level."