‘Together we can change’ - Rathore seeks support of all sportspersons

Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore said that the biggest challenge would be to improve the management so as to extend service to the athletes who were preparing round the clock.

Stressing that sport was not the sole responsibility of the government, Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore said the responsibility had to be shared by the State governments and the corporates, apart from parents and coaches, so as to ensure better results and all round sports development.

 

Olympic silver medallist Col. Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore promised “ samman and suvidha” to the sporting fraternity, on assuming office as the Sports Minister at the Shastri Bhawan in New Delhi on Monday.

Having knocked on the doors of the Ministry as a sportsman, the 47-year-old Rathore said that he understood the mindset of sportspersons, and assured that that the only VIP during his term would be the “sportsman”.

Acknowledging the “responsibility” and the tremendous levels of expectations from all around, Rathore thanked the whole nation and reassured that the target of the Sports Ministry would be to respect the sportspersons and extend all possible facilities to them to shine on the world stage.

Rathore was categorical that education was not just restricted to colleges and schools. He insisted that the best life lessons were learnt on the sports fields.

“Sport is not just for entertainment. Sport teaches leadership and life lessons. It is the platform for youth,” he said.

Stressing that sport was not the sole responsibility of the government, he said the responsibility had to be shared by the State governments and the corporates, apart from parents and coaches, so as to ensure better results and all round sports development.

Despite the vibrant happiness expressed in all strata about an Olympic medallist becoming the Sports Minister of the country, Rathore categorically stated that “running any institution required a mix of experience’’ and energetic young people.

Stressing on competence, Rathore said that he would have people with managerial skills, with the “heart of a sports person”.

He said that the Sports Ministry had a lot of good officers and that it needed more such people. “My journey, to this office, started at the reception. I know, as a sportsman, the problems faced by the sports persons,” he said.

Having the responsibility of continuing as the Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting, Rathore conceded that he would not allow himself to be weighed down by the expectations and responsibilities.

“The first challenge for a sportsman is to never fear losing. It is a service, and I want the support of all sportspersons and the people. Together we can change,” he declared.

Rathore said that the biggest challenge was how best to improve the management so as to extend service to the athletes who were preparing round the clock. “We have to provide them the support 24 x 7. We will find ways to do that,” he said.

Seeking time to settle down, Rathore assured that the best interest of Indian sports would form the core of all activities henceforth.