VIDHARBHA SERIES I

Not sporting enough
Author: Mamta Sen Date: 04 Mar 2008
Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Mani Shankar Aiyar says the Centre passed Rs 6,000 crore for 10-day event, but is reluctant to give Rs 600 crore for 10-year sports plan

Mani Shankar Aiyar inaugurating a sports complex in Yavatmal built at a cost of Rs 1.4 crore
UNION Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs, Mani Shankar Aiyar on Sunday, highlighted the step-motherly treatment meted out to sports in the country and blasted the centre for failing to allocate the necessary funds to the ministry. Aiyar was speaking on the occasion of the inauguration ceremony of the Rs 1.4 crore state-of-the-art indoor stadium in Yavatmal initiated by MP Vijay Darda. “In the union budget of 2007-08, the funds allotted to the sports ministry are as measly as 0.073 per cent. I would be elated if the figure is finally rounded up to one per cent,” he said. He also touched upon the on going controversy between himself and Suresh Kalmadi, MP and President of Indian Olympic Association.“Asking for Rs 600 crores over a period of 10 years is minimal, sane and a balanced figure compared to spending Rs 6000 crores in 10 days alone on Commonwealth Games,” he said, adding that he hopes to get the funds at the earliest.“I want the money not only to reach the aam aadmi, but his children too,” he said, while inaugurating the expensive building. “Constructing expensive stadiums in a district weighing under the baggage of poverty and unrest is disturbing. I would be happy if children from these villages are given an opportunity to unleash their sporting talents here.”