India needs talent hunt to emerge as supper power in sports: Omar

Scoop News March 01, 2012

Jammu,March 01 (Scoop News) - J&K Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah Thursday called for holistic approach and comprehensive strategy to make the country supper power in sports. He said identification of talent and shaping it in its best mould should start from schools so that India makes its mark in all fields of sports at the Olympics and other global events.

Omar Abdullah said that a long term policy involving sports organizations, State and Central Governments, industrial houses and sports icons of the country is needed to be formulated to focus on 2016 and 2020 Olympics and World Cup events in future in a big way.

The Chief Minister was flagging off ‘Monnet Go for Gold’ contingent of budding athletes from here on Thursday to carry a symbolic torch covering 6000 kilometres in the country from Jammu to Kanyakumari to inculcate the spirit of sponsorship in the Nation for the players participating in London Olympics 2012 and aim at Gold medals.

The initiative by a private company Monnet Ispat and Energy Limited (MIEL) patronising the Indian National boxing team is to bringing India under one platform to cheer for the Nation’s glory in London Olympics. The contingent will travel from Jammu to Pathankot, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Chandigarh, Kurukshetra, Panipat, Haryana, Delhi, Orissa, West Bengal, Chattisgarh, Goa, Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu to culminate at Kanyakumari.

Omar Abdullah said that India once ruled the world in the game of hockey and this game was recognized as the game of Indians but the scenario at present is such that we have been able to qualify for London Olympics in this game after eight years. “This should serve food for thought for all of us and especially those associated with games in the country”, he said stressing on concentrating on promotion of hockey and all other sports. He said cricket has attained the highest importance in sports in the country and all types of sponsors are available to promote this sport.

The Chief Minister said that there is urgent need that all other sports receive equal attention and sponsors come forward willingly and positively to promote all round sports talent and games in the country. He said India possesses rich talent in all sports and in order to convert it into a power and make the country supper power in sports all of us have to positively contribute.

Asking sports organizations and federations and the government agencies associated with sports to take a leaf from the sports book of the neighbouring country China which is giving tough competition to America and Russia in all events of sports at the international level. “This is because China worked on a long term sports strategy identified the talent in the childhood and groomed it in best possible manner to rule the roast at the Olympics and other international sports events.

Omar Abdullah said that infrastructural facility and security of career for budding sportspersons constitute important ingredient to popularize various sports and encourage youth to participate in this field and bring laurels to the country. “An unified and befitting approach by all of us especially sports associations and government departments is required to make a mark in this regard”, he said.

The Chief Minister said that his Government is working on a multipronged policy to nurture sports at village, block, district, province and State levels. He said his Government is ready to provide all sort of support to sports organizations in formulating a comprehensive roadmap for the all round development of sports and sports talent in the State. “I am eagerly waiting to see the sportspersons from Jammu and Kashmir in the National teams of different sports”, he expressed the hope.

Omar Abdullah wished success to the Indian participants in the London Olympics 2012 and said that the initiative of Monnet is a welcome step to bring entire country at one platform to cheer and support the Indian sportspersons participating in Olympic Games at London and pray for their success in all events.

Minister for Youth Services and Sports, R. S. Chib, Hockey icons of India, Aslam Sherkhan and Zafar Iqbal, Vice Chairman and Managing Director of MIEL, Sandeep Jajodia and a good number of sportspersons and lovers were present on the occasion.

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