Youth icons to lead sports delegation; not ministers

"A minister has no business to pretend as youth icon or sportsman. It should be led by the youth icon. Very soon we will come out with the list of the youth icons, who are capable of inspiring the youth," said Jitendra Singh.

Sports minister Jitendra Singh (centre) at the Maulana Azad Stadium in Jammu.

The sports ministry has stopped the practice of sending ministers and bureaucrats for participation in sports functions abroad.

“With a week after taking over, I announced the policy decision that youth delegation (for sports events) to foreign countries will led by the youth icons. The minister or union secretary will not lead the delegation henceforth”, union sports minister Jitendra Singh said.

“A minister has no business to pretend as youth icon or sportsman. It should be led by the youth icon. Very soon we will come out with the list of the youth icons, who have a wider acceptability and who are capable of inspiring the youth. The minister’s role will be that of facilitator and formulation of policy”, he added.

The minister has opted out from heading a delegation to China scheduled for June 16 and 17. Instead, he said, that the ambassador of India in China will lead the delegation.

“The ceremonial role of the heading the delegation will be performed by ambassador of India in China. This will also be great saving on the exchequer of India,” he said.