Pranav Birje | Senior Correspondent
Borivali – Former Member of Parliament from North Mumbai, Gopal Shetty, has written a letter to Maharashtra Sports Minister Dattatray Bharane, urging the state government to announce a new, professionally viable and visionary sports policy.
In the letter, public representative Gopal Shetty mentioned that the Government of India recently launched a well-planned and more effective National Sports Policy, announced by Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. This new policy will bring renewed energy to the sports sector across the country and have a positive impact on all states.
Gopal Shetty further wrote that under the leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the country has seen transformational changes across multiple sectors, with effective implementation. Over the past eleven years, India has taken many successful strides on the global stage. Specifically, through the ‘Khelo India’ initiative, millions of athletes across the country have been given opportunities. As a result of these efforts, India won more than 106 medals in the recent Olympics. This success is rooted in the strong sports policies implemented by both the central and state governments.
Continuing in the same vein, Shetty highlighted that Maharashtra is a key state in terms of sports culture in India. The state has produced numerous international-level athletes across various sports. Particularly, the contribution of women in cricket has been remarkable, serving as a source of pride, inspiration, and motivation for the current generation.
He also emphasized that sports can contribute significantly to the state’s economy. From the perspective of financial inclusion, the sports sector holds vast potential. Therefore, it is the need of the hour for Maharashtra to announce a new, commercially viable and forward-looking sports policy.
In the letter, Shetty also raised concerns about unnecessary hurdles being created in the sports sector by certain officials. Recently, an official from CIDCO issued a notice regarding a football turf. This incident has created undue pressure and fear within the sports community. He has resubmitted the notice for the minister’s reference.
He concluded the letter by requesting the minister to take the matter seriously and to initiate strict action against such arbitrary behavior, in order to establish a positive environment for sports in the state.
