Games period to be made mandatory in schools next year: Rathore

In a huge boost to the growth of sports in India, Union Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore has announced that the inclusion of a games period in schools will be made mandatory from next year onwards, which will result in a 50% reduction in the syllabus as well. Rathore, a Padma Shri awardee went on to add, "We have come to a stage where sports is not a part of education, it is education. The ministry of education is ensuring that there is a 50 per cent reduction in the syllabus in schools by 2019. Additionally, there will be a sports period on a regular basis highlighting the need to teach the importance of playing sports for the school children. “We are also ensuring that the SAI reduces its manpower by 50 per cent by 2022 so that they can cater to sports, it has a lean body and money is spent on sports," he said, shedding light on the importance to channelise the money spent to improve sports facilities in the country. In addition to this, Rathore also ideated on the emergence of specialised sports schools and said "This year, we will have 20 specialised sports schools, and the government of India will pump about Rs 7-10 crore for each. The idea is to have a very pointed approach so each school will have only two or three main sports," while also mentioning that they would be 'focussed' to a particular sport. The Sports Minister also unveiled the Webb Ellis Cup to invite India's participation in the Rugby World Cup 2019, in the presence of World Rugby CEO Brett Gosper, Aga Hussain, Asia Rugby President, actor Rahul Bose and Rugby India President Numazar Mehta. The World Cup, which is due to be held for the first time in Asia when it kicks-off in Japan will be promoted through the two-year Trophy Tour that will be held in Mumbai and Bhubhaneshwar this year.

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