The newly appointed Delhi Dialogue Commission on Thursday laid emphasis on drawing up an effective roadmap to improve sporting facilities and culture in the Capital while interacting with leading sportspersons, sports experts and professionals.
The Commission will help the Delhi Government formulate a policy to promote and develop sports.
Sportspersons and professionals attending the Commission’s meeting here expressed concern over “underutilisation” of the sports infrastructure, such as school playgrounds, DDA sports complexes, parks and other open spaces. They suggested that existing facilities in Delhi be mapped and open space be utilised for sports in engagement with the local residents. DDC vice-chairman Ashish Khetan presided over the meeting, while prominent among those who attended it included Olympic gold medalist in shooting Abhinav Bindra, former tennis player Manish Malhotra, cricketer Aakaash Chopra, sports lawyer Vidushpat Singhania and sports journalist Sukhwant Basra.
DDC Sports Task Force coordinator Rahul Mehra co-chaired the meeting. According to official sources, the group highlighted the role of sports in making education meaningful and curbing crime as well as dropout rates in schools. The Commission felt that the right to play should be considered a legal right of every child.
The participants suggested that a State Sports Bill be drafted and enacted so as to make district and state sports bodies accountable and transparent in their functioning.
The Commission suggested that a State Sports Bill be drafted and enacted so as to make the sports bodies accountable