Smiles greet new budget
7 Jul

NEW DELHI: The government, in the Union budget for the year 2009-10, has allocated Rs 3472 crore for the Commonwealth Games – of which Rs 2264 crore
will come to the ministry of youth affairs and sports – while it has earmarked around Rs 430 crore for sports activities other than the CWG.

The sports ministry feels that the amount is good enough. “I am happy with the budget. The finance minister is continuing to provide full support to the CWG and to landmark 11th plan scheme for promotion of sports in rural India, PYKKA,” sports minister MS Gill said in a statement. In fact, Rs 160 score has been allocated for the Panchayat Yuva Krira aur Khel Ahbiyan (PYKKA) project.

A senior ministry official said the amount should be enough to meet the needs of the department. “This (Rs 430 crore) is good money considering that separate allocation has been made for the CWG. The rest of the amount is enough for non-CWG activities.”

Sports administrators and sportspersons welcomed the allocation for sports as well as the Commonwealth Games. “The allocation of Rs 2200cr for the CWG is commendable because what we get is infrastructure which serves the country for the next 25 years. I am not bothered about how much is allocated for non-CWG activity, but it is about using the funds judiciously. Thanks to the CWG we have the infrastructure, now we should go about using the funds into a structured manner. It should be done to provide good sports administration. Also, not every sport should fall under the scheme. Some of the more performing sports should get a little more attention,” said hockey Olympian MM Somaya.

“We must stage the CWG successfully. I think the onus is on the associations and organisers to utilise the funds prudently,” said former hockey Olympian Gurbux Singh.

Randhir Singh, secretary general of IOA and a senior member in the CWG organising committee hailed the allocation for the Games. “This show’s the government’s support for the Games,” he said.

Dronacharya award-winning coach Robert Bobby George said the fund will ensure smooth progress of different projects. Former world champion Michael Ferreira, however, felt the allocation for non-CWG activities was “pathetic”.

“What are we talking about? Rs 455 cr for so many sports that have been performing? Take shooting, badminton, boxing, wrestling, cue sports. Wrestling is still being treated as an outcaste. As for CWG, it is welcome,” he said.