Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju aims high for the Olympics; talks about structural reforms

NEW DELHI: Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju spoke about structural reforms that can turn India into a sporting powerhouse.

"From this year, we are going to start junior TOPS scheme, so that means we will start funding the junior, at the age of 12, 13, 14," Rijiju said, adding, "The parents need not worry about taking care of the child who is interested in sports. If we see potential the government will definitely take care of them,” he said during the launch of a book called 'Dreams of a Billion India and the Olympic Games' co-written by Boria Majumdar and Nalin Mehta.

"The mindset of society is reflected in your action. You can not blame anyone for India not being able to perform in the Olympics. The size of India is not suitable to talk about 3-4 medals. India is of the size of a continent, we should be talking about figuring in top 5. It is changing, it will change,” he added.

Rijiju said that the country should aim to finish among the top 5 in the Olympics.

He spoke about the Khelo India University Games, Khelo India Youth Games and initiatives to start the Indigenous Games.

The minister also spoke about the importance of University Games.

“University Games are where you get the champions. Most of the Olympic champions are from universities. We have a School Games Federation in India but we never had School Games,” he added, according to media reports.

For a fact, Rijiju is a graduate from Hansraj College, New Delhi, where he studied law at the Campus Law Centre, Faculty of Law, University of Delhi. He married Joram Rina (now Rina Rijiju) in 2004.

He was an active social worker since his school days. He led various social movements as a social worker and student leader. He was also a member of the youth and cultural team which participated in the Festival of India in USSR in 1987.

Rijiju has visited many countries in the Middle East, Europe and the US as a member of various Parliamentary delegations. His hobbies include playing badminton and cricket; he was even named the best athlete in his school and college days and he has participated in the National games.

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