Honoring sporting heroes! Sports Ministry decides to name new, upgraded SAI facilities after sportspersons

NewsBharati    18-Jan-2021 13:17:27 PM
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New Delhi, Jan 18: With an aim to honour sporting heroes of the country, the Sports Ministry has taken a decision to name all upcoming and upgraded sporting facilities of the Sports Authority of India (SAI), after renowned athletes, who have contributed to sports in India.
  
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In the first leg, the newly built air-conditioned wrestling hall and the learners swimming pool in the National Centre of Excellence (NCOE) in Lucknow, the 100-bedded hostel in NCOE Bhopal, the multipurpose hall and Girls’ hostel in NCOE Sonepat, as well as the new STC In Guwahati which has a hostel, multipurpose hall and staff quarters, will be named after local star sportspersons.
 
Speaking about the decision, Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, 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 the sport as a career."
 
The ministry, however, did not give away the names of the athletes, who would be honoured after this decision. "The government is already providing all support to present and even past athletes to ensure that they have a life of comfort and dignity. Acknowledging their contribution to sports by naming sporting facilities after them is yet another endeavour of the Government to strengthen its commitment to sportspersons," he added.
 
It should be noted that there are very few of the country’s sports facilities, including venues hosting events, stadiums and training centres that are named after former sportspersons. It has led to stirring up arguments among the public whether enough is being done to keep their achievements in the public consciousness.