Udupi: Minister for Youth Empowerment and Sports Pramodh Madhwaraj said that the process of formulating a sports policy would be completed soon. He was speaking after chairing a meeting comprising the representatives and experts in the sports field from across Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Chikkamagaluru districts, organised to elicit public opinion to draw a sports policy in Udupi on Tuesday.

Madhwaraj, who is also district in-charge minister, said that the sports policy will be planned by taking the views and suggestions of the experts and sports professionals and academicians from all over state. “The policy should be long lasting and the impact should be ever-lasting. The meetings are held to collect opinions in the regional centres of Kalaburagi, Mysuru, Bengaluru and Udupi,” he said.

Madhwaraj said that the opinions, recommendations and suggestions would be compiled and discussed with the minister for primary and secondary education, higher education and health minister, before the draft policy is submitted to the Cabinet.

“Funds of Rs 30 crore earmarked under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme should be used for the purpose of sports and gram panchayats should involve in actively promoting sports activities in their respective areas,” advised the minister.

Emphasising the role of private companies in the promotion of sports activities in the state, the minister said that the responsibility of supporting and fostering around 500 athletes would be handed over to the corporate companies.

“This, in turn, will help the corporate companies to use their CSR funds for the promotion and support of sports talent. Also, the government is embarking on a novel idea of making corporate companies construct stadiums and also take care of the maintenance. The stadiums would be used for both private and public purposes,” explained Madhwaraj.

Dr Mohan Alva, Alvas Education Trust chairperson, opined that sports activities should be supported along with education. “The sports policy should help students right from Class one to under graduation courses to engage in sports activities. The government should also support the private organisations to nurture sports talent. Students who excel in sports activities should be given grace marks and, in addition, be considered for employment on merit. Physical education teachers should be appointed in every school and colleges. Sports infrastructure should be ensured to all educational institutions. Besides, fund should earmarked for the promotion of sports in the State budget,” he suggested.

Youth Empowerment and Sports Department director Anupam Agarwal said that the online applications for sports awards are made available and all details of selection and rejection is updated online.

Mangalore University Physical Education Department director Dr Kishore Kumar said that a talent hunt scheme for sports talent should be introduced so that talents from rural areas can be recognised. A research centre for sports should be set up, he said.

Sports expert from Chikkamagaluru Shivkumar demanded that the remuneration for sports personnel be increased. International athlete Dinesh Kunder said that players should be ensured with modern equipment and basic infrastructure.