Sports teach one about life: Sports Minister Rathore

Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Rajyavardhan Rathore on Sunday said that not just books, but sports also teach one about values of life.

Speaking on the sidelines of 'Khelo India' pledge launch, Rathore told ANI, "Sports are for learning value of life. It is just not the books that teach you about life but also sports. We are trying to strengthen that culture (through 'Khelo India' initiative)."

Rathore cited the example of Indian Army saying that the soldiers here play not for excellence, but for the values they learn by playing together.

Talking about Khelo India, launched by Ministry of Sports to improve culture of sports in the country, he said, "There are 12 verticals in 'Khelo India', one of which is Khelo India school games and Khelo India college games to create a platform at the highest level for Under-17 and Under-21. We will provide them the same quality and infrastructure to make them feel as if they are playing in the Commonwealth Games or the Asian Games."

The newly elected sports minister informed that the other verticals of the initiative will be to to pick up talent and give them Rs 5 lakh for eight years, and to train the coaches.

"We are focusing on women oriented sports. So we will encourage women to participate in sports. You teach one generation you would have taught four generations," he added.

Responding to a question about talking sports to naxal areas, the Olympian said that sports will be used to channelise energy towards positive things.

"We have sanctioned Rs 200 crore for just Jammu and Kashmir to nurture sports," he said.

Talking about the players participating in the Olympics and inter-continental games, Rathore said, "We have reduced the red tapism there and whatever their needs are we have a specialized team now looking after that. About three weeks ago, 9 per cent of their requests had already been cleared. So things are going very fine. Where ever they want to train, whichever country, under whosoever coach, we are granting them the funds to go and train.