Govt allocates Rs 2200 crore to set up 75 sports schools

With an aim to tap sporting talents in young age, government is planning to set up 75 sports schools across the country with an allocation of Rs 2,200 crore. As per the plan, during the pilot stage, there will be one or two sports schools in each state and Union Territories and the pilot project will be implemented over a period of three years. About 35 sports schools will be started in first year, followed by 20 sports schools each in the second and third year respectively, according to the concept note accessed by PTI. Those schools already having good sports facilities in about 4-5 disciplines, performing well in National School Games, having 25 acres area with good sporting track record and ready to provide additional residential facility for a minimum of 100 male or female students (25 boys or girls to be selected each year for four years) will get preference to be selected as sports schools. [caption id=“attachment_1325297” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Representational Image. Getty[/caption] The sports school should provide top class sporting facilities in 4-5 disciplines in boxing, wrestling, athletics, gymnastics, taekwondo, swimming, table tennis, badminton, hockey, football, archery, tennis, shooting, basketball and volleyball. The government will spend Rs 10 crore in total for two sports disciplines allotted to the school concerned, a lump sum amount of Rs 1.5 lakh per annum will be given to each selected student, reimbursement of group insurance premium of Rs 2,000 per student per annum. Besides, Rs one lakh per school per annum will be given for purchasing sports equipment, Rs 18 lakh for salary/honorarium for five coaches per school (Rs 30,000 for each coach). The total estimated cost for a total of 75 sports schools will be approximately Rs 2,200 crore spread over a period of 10 years. The selected students will be subjected to vigorous training in a major and a minor sports discipline for a minimum two to two-and-a-half hours every day. There should be a judicious mix of academics and sports in the school, the school has to organise special classes to the sports children to fill up the gap, if any, and take necessary remedial classes, the note says. The school should ensure opening of a sports achievement section for 25 students admitted on sports quota every year. All students of this sports achievement section will be made to participate in all games available in the school for the first 2-3 years on the basis of which their aptitude and inclination for a given discipline can be ascertained. Thereafter, the school should ensure that each sports student specialises in one major and one minor sports discipline, the faculty of the sports achievement section will counsel the students and aid them in the discipline selection process. The school should also provide class rooms, sports area, boarding facility, adequate nutrition, first aid and basic medical facilities. PTI