All new, upgraded sporting facilities to be named after sportspersons

By Harpal Singh Bedi

Jan 18, 2021

New Delhi:  In a welcome move the Sports ministry today announced that henceforth all new, upgraded sporting facilities will be named after sportspersons.

The decision will end the ongoing controversy regarding naming of the stadia after political personalities and leaders .

According to a Sports Ministry release the move is an effort 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, after renowned athletes, who have contributed to sports in the country.

Speaking about the decision, union 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.

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.

“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.” the minister added. IANS