Need for zonal academies -- Randhir

Need for zonal academies -- Randhir
BALBIR SINGH

CHANDIGARH, MARCH 11: Randhir Singh, the secretary General of the Indian Olympic Association, has strongly advocated the setting up of zonal sports academies. Availability of talent and popularity of the sports disciplines should be the only criteria for selecting the venue for a particular academy, he feels.

Citing an example, Randhir Singh proposed that badminton academy could be ideal in Karnataka as the discipline is very popular in that state. Similarly, a football academy can be established in Bengal and hockey in Punjab.

Regarding the raising of the infrastructure, Randhir Singh, who is also the secretary general of Olympic Council of Asia, said a specific sum of money should be spent on raising of infrastructure. Proper utilisation of the stadia is most important while an authority could look after the maintenance of the stadia. He proposed the setting of Stadiums Authority of India, whose sole job should be to update and upkeep the facilities.

Randhir Singh disclosed that the IOA would raise a corporate fund to promote sportspersons and Nationals Olympic Associations\Federations. The IOA is already spending good amount on foreign coaches employed by the federations. The Government of India sanctions only that amount which is admissible under the rules to the foreign coaches working in India. As the amount is not sufficient, the IOA's contribution comes in.

Besides, budding stars, namely Abhinav Bindra, Nisha Millet and Neha Ahuja are receiving $1200 per month through IOA for training etc. The IOA also considers meeting the travel expenses of these athletes for participation abroad.

As regards the foreign coaches to train our sportspersons, Randhir said the top foreign coaches should be invited for conducting clinic for our coaches also. As far the training is concerned, foreign coaches should be invited for a longer period (at least two to three years). He, however, cautioned that Indian and foreign coaches should be treated at par. The Indian national coaches should also get the same treatment as enjoyed by the foreign trainers.

Congratulating the Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha and Union Sports Minister Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa for getting 100 per cent tax exemption in the budget to the Indian Olympic Association, Randhir Singh said, "The corporate houses are encouraged through such policy."