Updated on Tuesday, November 03, 2009, 15:43 IST Tags:B K Handique

Dimapur: The Centre has prepared a comprehensive draft policy encompassing all disciplines of sports to harness the large pool of talent in the country.

"Our objective in preparing the draft sports policy is to enhance the scope for the large pool of young talent by developing sports infrastructure and facilities at all levels," Union DoNER minister B K Handique said.

The minister said a 'new social compact' involving all stakeholders to launch a nationwide movement of youth in sports and unleash a new wave of sports consciousness and sports development was proposed in the draft policy.

Regretting that the youth of the NE region had suffered enough, Handique said effort was underway to reorganize youth promotion through sports, music and culture.

His priority, he said, was to give opportunities to the youth of the region who could contribute to the growth of the nation.

Handique was speaking last evening at the inauguration of the first North-East Dr T Ao Football Trophy sponsored by DoNER ministry under the theme 'Together We Can Soar' where eight states of the region participated in the tournament named after the legendary barefoot Olympian Dr Talimeren Ao.

Bureau Report