State finally gets a shot at sports policy

If your child is not that enthusiastic about sports and fitness and his/her school does not push him/her enough, things may change soon.

The State has finally got a shot at having its own sports policy with the “goal” of making it the sports destination of the country.

The committee formed by the Karnataka Knowledge Commission, which boasts of some of the biggest names in Indian sporting history, met recently for the first time and discussed the issue.

A report is likely to be submitted in a few months.

Areas in focus

Members of the committee include Rahul Dravid, former captain of the Indian cricket team and member of the Karnataka Knowledge Commission, badminton legend Prakash Padukone, Arjuna Award-winners Ashwini Nachappa and athlete Reeth Abraham. Areas expected to get a fillip are school and college-level sports, and manpower and sporting infrastructure. The committee is looking at roping in the Education Department to find ways to promote sports in educational institutions. Ms. Abraham said there is a need to make sports and fitness compulsory in schools, just like other subjects.

“Children these days are not getting enough exercise and they will not do it without being pushed,” she explained.

Health angle

Ms. Nachappa said the policy will not look at sports from one angle.

“For instance, sports can be looked at as a health benefit. Maybe, one per cent of the health budget can be allotted to sports. We have also discussed if a corporate organisation can run an elite sports,” she said.

Coaches

Human resource is the other area being explored, which includes getting coaches at the grassroots level.

“We have a lot of physical education teachers doing disciplinary classes rather than sports,” Ms. Nachappa said.

The policy aims at making the State a sports destination

Panel formed by Karnataka Knowledge Commission met recently and discussed the issue