Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday said his government was taking necessary steps to promote sports in Delhi and has initiated several programmes to nurture athletes.
Kejriwal gave this assurance after meeting with Deepak Punia.
Punia, who won a silver medal in the just-concluded Asian Games in Hangzhou in the men’s 86 kg freestyle wrestling, called on him at his office.
Stating that the Delhi government was taking all necessary steps to promote sports, Kejriwal said, “We have initiated several programmes for nurturing the talent of Delhi’s athletes. Our government is not only providing financial assistance to athletes but is also focusing on the development of sports infrastructure.”
He further said, “The government is running the Play and Progress and Mission Excellence schemes. Under the Play and Progress scheme, athletes under the age of 13-14 years receive financial support of Rs 2-3 lakh annually to ensure they can receive quality coaching and nutritious food for their training.”
He said under the Mission Excellence program, athletes who have won medals at the national level receive financial assistance of Rs 16 lakh annually, enabling them to prepare effectively for international competitions.
The chief minister congratulated Punia for his splendid performance and assured him of better sports facilities.
He also informed that all athletes in Delhi who won medals for India in the Asian Games will soon be felicitated in a ceremony