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New Delhi: The newly-appointed sports minister Jitendra Singh promised to pursue the government policy of implementing the sports development bill but said he was not in favour of a confrontational attitude towards National Sports Federations (NSFs).
Singh, who, on Tuesday, took over as the minister of state for sports and youth affairs with independent charge, said: “I would certainly like to carry on the policy of the government… but it is not necessary to fight with the sports federations over domination in sports. I would try and take everybody on board.”
All the sports federations had been crying foul ever since the government decided to implement the sports bill, which proposed to restrict the principal office bearers of the federations from continuing in their posts for more than 12 years and beyond the age of 72.
Accusing the sports ministry of adopting a policy of arm-twisting, the NSFs called the move a direct attack on their autonomy.
The bill, however, is yet to get the approval of the cabinet.Singh, a former trap shooter, said sportspersons, not officials, should dominate the scene. “I always feel that in any job, may it be my ministry, may it be my job here, there should be transparency and there should be accountability.
“That is important everywhere... in the government or in any organisation. But, it will be premature for me to say anything right now. Let me have an interaction with all the stake holders and try to take it forward,” he added.
The minister also said he would like to work towards the development of sports in Jammu and Kashmir, North East and the Naxal-affected areas.
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