On Sunday, the Sports Ministry said that they have decided to name all the forthcoming and upgraded facilities of the Sports Authority India (SAI). The SAI declared in a press release that the initiative is to honour the athletes who have brought accolades to the country.
The SAI has enlisted the facilities that will be named local sportspersons. The list includes; new build air-conditioned wrestling hall and the learners swimming pool in the National Centre of Excellence (NCOE), Lucknow, the 100-bedded hostel in National Centre of Excellence (NCOE) in Bhopal, the versatile hall and Girls’ hostel in NCOE, Sonepat, and the newly built SAI Training Centre in Guwahati, which has a hostel, multipurpose hall and staff quarters.
Speaking about the decision, Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju said, “To build a sports culture in the country, it is important that our sportspersons get the honour that they deserve, because only then will the younger generations be enthused to take up sport as a career.
The ministry has not declared the names of the athletes who will be honoured.
“The government is already providing all support to present and even past athletes to ensure that they have a life of comfort and dignity,” Rijiju mentioned.
“Acknowledging their contribution to sports by naming sporting facilities after them is yet another endeavour of the Government to strengthen its commitment to sportspersons.”
The decision has garnered debate. People have raised questions whether this is enough to honour their achievements. Although very few sports facilities including venues, training centres are named after ace sportspersons.
