Ministry says no to bilateral sporting ties with Pakistan

The Union Government has made a categorical policy that it would follow the Olympic charter for hosting or competing in multinational events, but would not have any sporting bilateral link with Pakistan in any part of the world.

India will not hesitate to play Pakistan or compete in a tournament in which the team figures if it is part of a continental or global event.

The Sports Ministry also aspires to make India a preferred destination for international events, and thus would have smooth visa facility for sportspersons, team officials and technical personnel.

The office-bearers of the International Sports Federations will be given multi-entry visa, even for a span of five years depending on their tenure, on priority, to help them have a smooth passage to the country.

The Ministry is also keen to strengthen the sporting culture of the country even as it envisages to make the sports ecosystem robust.

Three-day celebration

Thus, it will be a three-day celebration of sports, instead of the usual practice of having August 29 as the National Sports Day.

It will be a three-day sports celebration in which citizens across the country will participate in sports and fitness activities with the Olympic spirit of excellence, friendship, and respect, while also making it a habit in their daily life.

A tribute would be paid to the hockey wizard, Major Dhyan Chand, on August 29. On that day, a dedicated hour would witness citizens, schools, colleges, institutions and offices across the country step on to the playground for sports activity. The leading athletes will be connected with every district’s programme.

The Sports Authority of India would facilitate debates, talks, competitions, panel discussions on sports, apart from a Fit India carnival across the country on August 30.

The third day, on August 31, would be dedicated to Sundays on Cycle, under the National Sports Movement.