Uttar Pradesh Cabinet approves New Sports policy 2023

Lucknow, Mar 10, 2023

With an aim of fostering sports culture in the state and promoting athletes, the Uttar Pradesh cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, on Friday approved the New Sports Policy 2023.

In the new sports policy, special consideration has been given to everything ranging from the players’ physical fitness to their training. Along with this, various provisions have been made to support the development of new institutions, and connect schools, colleges, and private academies with sports.

The unique aspect is that, after researching sports policies from other states, the state government incorporated their beneficial provisions in the Sports Policy 2023. Additionally, the creation of a state sports authority is mentioned in the new sports policy.

Financial assistance to sports associations and academies

Financial support for various sports associations and sports academies has been included in the new policy. Academies and sports organizations with limited resources will benefit from it. These associations and academies will be able to expand their infrastructure and training facilities with the government’s financial support, which will enable them to benefit more players.

In addition to this, the Uttar Pradesh government will also cooperate in the development of sports infrastructure facilities through PPP (Public Private Partnership). The state will establish up to 14 centers of excellence, each centered around a different game. These are targeted to be set up on PPP mode. The new sports policy also includes information on coaches and mapping of various sporting facilities.

State Sports Authority will be established

In the new sports policy 2023, a provision has been made to establish a state sports authority on the lines of the Sports Authority of India (SAI). Additionally, the state will establish a State Sports Development Fund. Through this fund, weak players, associations, or academies will receive assistance. In addition, five high-performance centers will be built in the state, where high-performance athletes will be provided with training facilities for physical fitness.

Government will also provide treatment to players

The Uttar Pradesh government will also provide financial assistance to the players. In the new sports policy 2023, the government has also included provisions for this. Each registered player will receive the benefit of health insurance up to Rs 5 lakh from the government of Uttar Pradesh in accordance with the policy.

Along with this, the state government will also provide funds from the Eklavya Sports Fund for the treatment of injuries suffered by the players during sports or competitions. It is noteworthy that players often get injured during sports. Many players decide to retire or quit the sport at the peak of their careers due to financial hardship or poor medical care. In such a circumstance, the government has now reached out to assist such players.

Players will receive training in three categories

The players will receive training based on their skill power for better training. The players have been divided into three categories by the government for this. The first category will include grass root (ground level) players, under which, those players who need coaching at the initial level will be given training. The second category, however, will focus on the development of players, where talented players will be identified and given the necessary training as part of an action plan to help them become future players. The third category is of elite-class players—established players who represent the state in various sports. Such players will be motivated to perform better at the national and international levels.

Other noteworthy aspects of the new sports policy

—A sports center will be established in each district.
—Special attention will be given to women and para sports.
—Priority will be given to the development of sports facilities in rural areas.
—Local and indigenous sports will be promoted.
—Sports industry will be encouraged in the state.
—Keeping in view the possibilities of sports tourism, efforts will be made in this area as well.
—Provision has also been made to promote e-sports in the state.
—Better facilities like fitness experts, and diet experts will be provided in the hostels.
—A committee of international players will be constituted for admission in hostels.
—Schools will be encouraged to start sports nurseries or academies for the development of various sports.

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Committee will be formed for Khelo India University Games

In addition to the sports policy, the cabinet has also approved a few other sports-related proposals. In this, consent has been given to the proposal related to activating various committees for organizing Khelo India University Games. At the same time, it has been decided to make a policy for the construction, operation, and management of stadiums, and open gyms in rural areas so that facilities are provided to the new generation and promising players emerge from the village and bring glory to the state.