Aurangabad, Dec 24:
The union sports ministry has decided to allot a fund of Rs 5 crore for advanced equipment at the National Centre of Excellence (NCOE), Aurangabad, union sports minister Kiren Rijiju said here on Thursday. The minister made the announcement after inaugurating the hokey astroturf and stainless-steel swimming pool in NCOE (Sports Authority of India) centre of Aurangabad.
Earlier, the groundbreaking ceremony of the Fencing Hall was held at his hands. Rijiju also inspected the weightlifting hall and multipurpose hall here. Rijiju said "The Central government has allotted NCOEs in various parts of the country, but not all states have received such centres. Many centres include only three or four disciplines of sports. However, there are seven disciplines of sports in the centre at Aurangabad. We have started the gymnastics centre, which was almost closed. About 10 to 20 athletes from the Aurangabad centre will play in the 2024 and 2028 Olympics." The minister further said, "Rs 5 crore has already been sanctioned for the best state-of-the-art equipment for players'' training. Also, Rs 28 crore has been provided for a 300-bed hostel, Rs 4.84 crore for hockey turf and Rs 2 crore for fencing hall." Meanwhile, MP Imtiyaz Jaleel demanded sports facilities, while MP Bhagwat Karad demanded to start diploma for sports on the backdrop of NIS Patiala and sub-centre of the sports university of Manipur. Replying to the members, Rijiju said, "The government will favourably work out the demands of NIS diploma and athletic track. MLA Atul Save, MLC Ambadas Danve, NCOE Aurangabad director Virendra Bhandarkar, Vice-chancellor of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University Dr Pramod Yeole, joint secretary of Maharashtra Athletics association Pankaj Bharsakhle, Maharashtra Amateur Gymnastics Association secretary Dr Makrand Joshi were present.
Only sport can create unity
Rijiju added that we have to be content with one silver or one bronze medal in Olympics. We have a good tradition of sports in India. However, it has not become our culture. It is a matter of pride when the national anthem is played after winning the medal. The entire country celebrates their success. Only sport can create unity and strength. Therefore, ''Khelo India'' and ''Fit India'' movements were started in the country."