State wants sportsmen to help draft policy

Eighteen-year-old javelin thrower Deve Doge Pusali has represented the state in the National Games two years in a row.

Eighteen-year-old javelin thrower Deve Doge Pusali has represented the state in the National Games two years in a row. But this Madia Gond tribal from Naxalite-affected Gadchiroli district has never had sports shoes, forget any formal coaching.

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The state government is now looking at formulating a sports policy that will help sports infrastructure reach talented sportswomen like Pusali. And, the government wants sportspersons to help it draft the policy.

Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Suresh Shetty said he was planning a committee comprising sportspersons like shooter Anjali Bhagwat, badminton player Pradeep Gandhe and billiards player Michael Ferreira, along with sports psychologists, administrators and young legislators, to formulate the policy.

“The policy will look at promoting awareness about sports, create training modules for schools and colleges and look at how sports infrastructure can be used optimally,” Shetty said.

The proposal was sent to Chief Minister Ashok Chavan for approval on Thursday.

As per the proposal, the committee will survey existing sports infrastructure, engage with sports associations and provide opportunities to talented youngsters. The committee will also decide on how to promote different sports in the state.

The committee will be given two months to engage with sports federations and administrators before deliberating and drafting the policy.